Sustainable development and planning news

South West Regional Plan Study published A report considering the revocation of the South West Regional Strategy has found that the plan’s abolition would have a similar environmental impact to it’s retention. The assessment of the Strategic plan for the South West...

David Cameron defends his claim of “The Greenest Government Ever!” The Prime Minister has conceded that the government’s flagship Green Deal is facing a number of challenges. He appreciated the difficulties present in motivating home owners to make energy improvements...

Government U-turn on Roll out of DECs for Private Sector Commercial Building. After a recent report concluded that the Government should roll out Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for private sector commercial buildings after their original introduction for all...

Low Carbon Plan in Local Authorities to rack up pressure on CO2 emitters. Government proposals to force in council lead plans for the reduction of carbon emissions in their areas, have been given a cool reception by experts. The Committee on Climate Change warned of...

The Green Deal and ECO not enough to achieve 2020 target The government needs to implement a “step change” in the pace of reduction of emissions from buildings if it is to meet its long term carbon reduction targets, the Committee on Climate Change has concluded....

Supreme Court throws out Government FITs Appeal plea! The government’s ill feted attempt to appeal against an High Court decision in favour of the Solar industry and Friends of the Earth, has finally come crashing down around it’s “Greenest Government ever” self...

Selling the benefits of sustainable buildings. There are many who are familiar with the argument that buildings which have been retrofitted with high tech, low energy using equipment such as Photovoltaic cells, passive solar design and clever ventilation cost large...

The Revised Building Regulations, 2013, the Green Deal…..Oh and CO2 Emissions! The Revision of the Building Regulations in 2013, intended not only to drive the building of more energy efficient buildings, but also help develop The Green Deal as the government's main...