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Lighting the cities: Accelerating the deployment of innovative lighting in European cities
Posted on: 9 August 2013
By: mackene
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This report is aimed at decision makers in European cities responsible for their indoor and outdoor lighting infrastructures. It presents the findings of a Task Force for Cities that was established by the European Commission with the aim of delivering a roadmap for achieving wider deployment and major rollout of new Solid State Lighting-based lighting technologies for cities throughout Europe.
Dealing with illegal and unauthorised encampments: a summary of available powers
Posted on: 9 August 2013
By: mackene
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This is the latest edition of the summary of powers on illegal and unauthorised occupation of land. It now includes the removal of restrictions, from planning law, on Temporary Stop Notices for unauthorised caravan encampments which are a main residence.
Farrell Review of Architecture & the Built Environment: RIBA Response
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The RIBA has submitted evidence to the Farrell Review, a review of architecture and the built environment being led by Sir Terry Farrell and commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. In its response, the RIBA called for the introduction of a Built Environment Design policy and the appointment of a Chief Built Environment Design Adviser within government in order to embed a more ambitious approach to design in the built environment. The RIBA also called for government to show greater leadership as a client, recommending a series of reforms to public procurement and the use of public land designed to put greater emphasis on design quality.
Greater flexibilities for change of use: Consultation
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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A consultation paper recommending the conversion empty shops in ailing high streets to houses or flats has been published by the department for Communities and Local Government. It proposes granting permitted development rights for the conversions, which would see developers apply to councils for prior approval for the conversions. They would be permitted to reject the application on the basis of ‘loss on the economic health of the town centre, the need to maintain an adequate provision of essential local services such as post offices, and the potential impact of the change of use on the local character of the area.’ However, the secretary of state will retain the power to overturn refusals if local authorities use them ‘unreasonably’. Comments are requested by 15 October 2013.
Submissions to Airports Commission published
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The Airports Commission has published a summary of the short and medium term measures submitted to inform its deliberations on how to make best use of existing airport capacity, and all the long term proposals submitted for new runways, airports and infrastructure changes designed to strengthen the UK and London’s air connections with the world.
Economy of sustainable construction
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The latest issue of “Foundations”, the magazine of the Holcim Foundation, is dedicated to the 4th International Holcim Forum which took place in Mumbai, India, and focused on the importance of sustainable construction in driving economic development. The 80-page publication is a summary of the Holcim Forum, attended by some 350 representatives of various industries and disciplines from around 40 countries. It includes an array of photos of participants and the four Forum workshops where participants exchanged their ideas and took part in topic-related excursions to sites in the city of Mumbai. The workshops covered improvement of informal settlements, densification, urban metabolism, and gains delivered by sustainable buildings.
Next steps to zero carbon homes: Allowable solutions
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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The government recognises that it will not always be cost-effective, affordable or technically feasible for house builders to reduce all carbon emissions through on-site measures, like fabric insulation, energy efficient services, and/or renewable energy generation (eg solar panels). With this in mind, the government has published a consultation paper which sets out and seeks views and further evidence on the main principles, price cap and processes for the delivery of ‘allowable solutions’, off-site projects or measures that reduce carbon emissions, which house builders may support to achieve the zero carbon homes standard. A related impact assessment has also been published. This provides a preliminary analysis of options for the delivery of Allowable Solutions under the zero carbon policy, and sets out design principles for Allowable Solutions’ measures, pricing and delivery models. It also seeks evidence to inform further work which will be undertaken following this preliminary consultation and which will be reflected in further formal consultation in due course on the detailed design of Allowable Solutions. This can be found here.
Local environmental quality: Valuing the neighbourhood in which we live
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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Defra commissioned a consortium of the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds and Transport Studies Group, Loughborough University to undertake research on the importance and value of different local environmental factors. The project aimed to establish marginal values for eleven diverse local environmental quality factors. These are: urban quiet areas; fly-tipping; litter; detritus; fly-posting; graffiti; dog-fouling; chewing gum; trees; light pollution; and odour.
Waste prevention programme for England
Posted on: 8 August 2013
By: mackene
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A consultation paper has been published on a new Waste Prevention Programme for England which aims to help businesses and householders recognise the savings they can make by cutting waste and passing on items they no longer use. Comments are requested by 23 September 2013.
Review of the balance of competences: Defra and DECC
Posted on: 8 August 2013
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Researchers at the Tyndall Centre have informed the UK Government’s Balance of Competences review of the many ways in which European Union environmental policy affects the UK. They reveal that the EU has very significantly affected many fundamental aspects of UK policy on the environment and climate change.
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