Sustainable development and planning news

Free schools gain relaxation of planning rules Plans have been unveiled by the government to relax current planning rules which should enable free schools to convert existing buildings into school sites more quickly. Under permitted development rights,...

Builders Federation warns of further job losses A trade survey completed by the Federation of Master Builders revealed a further axing in construction employment by up to a third of building companies if the current low levels of construction continues. The State of...

Zero Carbon Homes bought by Sovereign Housing Association Zero Carbon Homes are accepted as more mainstream it seems as Sovereign Homes  have just taken over 61 out of a development of 185 homes at the largest zero carbon residential development to date in Britain....

Green Deal Slow Start forces job losses A depressing new statistic from  the Insulation Industry Forum shows that there were twice the number of job losses over last months figure due to roll out of the Green Deal being postponed. Over 1700 jobs were lost in December...

Zero Carbon Homes for the Homes and Communities Agency The Homes and Communities Agency has bought a substantial plot of land at a former army camp at Whitehill and Bordon in East Hampshire with a view to developing a new eco-community. The site was bought for £3...

Permitted Development for Solid wall insulation to boost Green Deal Yesterday, The Green Deal was boosted by a government decision to relax planning rules for solid wall insulation. This has ensured that the solid wall market will be more of a focus for the Green Deal...

Planning Minister backs Wind farm protesters!  Are they still the Greenest Government ever? The Planning Minister Yesterday came out on the side of wind farm protesters in a letter to the energy minister, John Hayes. In a  Daily Telegraph report, the Planning...

Carbon Green Website now live… Carbon Green Consulting have launched their new website for 2013 packed with information and current sustainability news for all those interested in the Construction industry and sustainable buildings. The site will have up to the minute...

Havant sets Community Infrastructure Levy at £42! The Community Infrastucture Levy rate per square metre of floorspace proposed for out-of-town retail developments has been set by Havant Borough Council at £42. Havant Borough Council’s decision to set the rate  in...

Leading UK fit out contractor goes to the wall Swift Horsman, one of the UK's largest commercial Fit out contractors has been placed into administration. Over the last decade Swift Horseman, originally a joinery company, has worked on a number of high profile projects...