Entries for September 2008

Imerys Roof Tiles has launched a new photovoltaic tile package designed to match Imerys’ range of large and small format interlocking plain clay tiles and slates and to complement other ranges.

The Carbon Trust has launched a guide for retailers to increase the energy efficiency of display lighting which could save up to 30% of their lighting costs.

English Partnerships, Linden Homes and Downland Housing Association have submitted outline plans for redevelopment of the Graylingwell site to Chichester District Council.  

Tidal power could make Scotland the “green energy capital of Europe according to its environment minister Michael Russell who was speaking at the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project in New York where two new turbines are being installed in the East River.

DEFRA has completed the sale of its 5ha former site at Epsom Road in Guildford to Linden Homes for building of 200 homes.

The Liberal Democrats, in a conference totally marginalised by the unfolding collapse of major financial institutions, have backed eco-towns, but under strict conditions.

Communities housing minister Caroline Flint has unveiled a package of new development rules which will reduce regulation for home improvements.

DCLG has published a new guidance booklet Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Renting Homes: A Landlord’s Guide to give advice to landlords who wish to rent homes to new tenants after 1 October.

Energy-efficient homes “could be a vital driver to keeping the property market moving, with ‘carbon appeal’ set to replace ‘kerb appeal’ when it comes to swaying buyers”, according to new research carried out by the Energy Saving Trust.

The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, told the TUC Congress meeting in Brighton on 9 September that millions of homes will benefit, and thousands of jobs to be created, from Britain becoming a “more energy-efficient society.”

Businesses which invest in energy microgeneration will no longer see an automatic triggering of business rate reassessment and higher bills under amendments to legislation published by DCLG.

Housing minister Caroline Flint has told Labour MP Clive Betts in a written answer that it is the Government’s “aspiration is to see all homes built to Lifetime Homes Standards by 2013,” and she said ministers will “ensure that all publicly funded housing is built to Lifetime Homes Standards by 2011.

The results of the European Commission’s latest Internal Market Scoreboard show that the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD - 2002/91/EC) is one of the two least implemented Directives in EU.

Progressively enhancing building regulations to the point where all new homes are “zero carbon” from 2016 could generate carbon reductions between 2.62 and 3.16mt/y
by 2020 but could initially increase current build costs between 17 and 24%.

“Spiralling energy costs and impending recession make it essential for all businesses to implement an efficient energy management strategy and stop wasting money now,” Professor Martin Fry, Chairman, Energy Services and Technology Association, 27 Aug.