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Delivering a Sustainable Future
The Technical Housing Standards Review and the NPPF
An announcement from the Technical Housing Standards Review Panel is anticipated imminently which we hope will signal improvements to the relevance and compliance efficiency for the currently wide range of housing related standards. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in March 2012. As we reported last month, the 12 month transitional arrangements formally ended [...]
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Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Code, Environmental standards, Housing quality, Planning, Sustainability
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We extend our work on Europe’s largest regeneration project
Hampton House – Nine Elms Following our work through the planning process, Richard Hodkinson Consultancy has recently been appointed to continue involvement on this high-quality mixed-use scheme. We are to provide a range of environmental assessments through the design and build program. The Nine Elms project, on the south bank of the Thames, is the [...]
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Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, CO2 emissions, Code, Energy Performance Certification, Environmental standards, Part L, SAP, Sustainability
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Code 4 – Responsible Sourcing of Materials for Cost Effective Credits
Now that many developments are required to achieve Code Level 4, it is becoming more apparent that the inclusion of MAT 2 and MAT 3 credits can make a significant and cost effective contribution to overall scores. These credits aim to promote the responsible sourcing of materials in both basic and finishing building elements. A [...]
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Tagged Building materials, Climate change, Code, Environmental standards, Sustainability
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2012 for Richard Hodkinson Consultancy
The past 12 months has seen continued growth within the practice, both in personnel and work output. The following provides a quick review of the successes for Richard Hodkinson Consultancy in 2012. One of the more significant changes in the year has been the development of new services. This has benefitted our clients by offering [...]
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Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Code, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Planning, Sustainability
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Looking forward to 2013
Planning The wider adoption of Community Infrastructure Charging Schedules (the use of planning obligations will be more restricted from April 2014); The expiration on 27 March 2013 of the 12-month NPPF transitional period, designed to allow some protection for existing local plans depending on the date of their adoption, even where there is a limited [...]
Changes to Considerate Constructors Scheme 2013
Over the past 3 years the Considerate Constructors Scheme has undergone a thorough review. As a result Considerate Constructors felt that the scheme should be more challenging to the industry but still remain accessible. The changes will be taking effect from 1st January 2013 and will include a new code of conduct, new checklist and [...]
BREEAM Surface Water Runoff on Code for Sustainable Homes Sites
Design teams working on mixed-use sites assessed under both the Code and BREEAM need to apply caution before assuming that a Code compliant flood risk and drainage strategy will automatically qualify for the equivalent credits under BREEAM. Whilst BREEAM and Code surface water runoff and flood risk credits appear similar, there are some key differences [...]
Running costs of energy in a Code Level 4 home
Meeting higher sustainability standards, such as Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, does not necessarily mean lower energy costs to residents. The strategy adopted to achieve these higher standards can have a significant impact. It is possible for energy running costs to be increased if inappropriate strategies are adopted. We have examined the estimated energy [...]
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Tagged Code, Energy efficiency, Energy modelling, Renewable energy
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Winners of Southwark Council competition tender for Elmington sites C, D, E & G
Richard Hodkinson Consultancy have assisted Bellway Homes and Family Mosaic in being selected as The London Borough of Southwark’s development partner for the four phases at Elmington Sites C, D, E & G. The project will form part of the on-going comprehensive regeneration of the Elmington Estate, by providing 226 dwellings, in an approach that [...]
Lifetime Homes – is it practical?
Lifetime Homes is a housing quality standard consisting of 16 design criteria. It was developed in the 1990s to set a range of principles for good housing design that maximises utility, independence and quality of life. The 16 design criteria consider ‘visit-ability’ of the property as well as the potential future needs of the homeowner. [...]
The Code as a Pathfinder
This article looks at areas in construction where advances have been made since the Code for Sustainable Homes was launched in late 2006. Environmental information on building products is now routinely available to respond to the assessment requirements. The Code has required a consistent response from the supply chain. Building Fabric and Energy Performance The [...]
Electric heating for Code for Sustainable Homes level 4
The 25% dwelling emission rate (DER) improvement over Part L1A 2010 CO2 standards required for Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 compliance is being achievable via multiple routes. These have focussed on the use of decentralised energy, heat pump technology, or high efficiency gas boilers, with further CO2 reductions through the use of renewable technologies. [...]
Importance of selecting white goods for the Code
It’s about both energy and water use The Code for Sustainable Homes requires that washing machines and dishwashers achieve an “A” rating under the EU Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme and tumble driers and washer driers achieve a “B” rating in order to achieve credits under ENE 5 Energy Labelled White Goods. However, what is sometimes [...]
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Tagged Code, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Water
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ASHPs and the Code in the British Climate
Introduction Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) can be an effective route to achieving carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets under Code for Sustainable Homes Levels 3 and 4 and they can meet Part L1a of the Building Regulations. Whilst ASHPs can reduce absolute emissions of carbon dioxide when compared with conventional gas heating, there are a [...]
Product data and the water use calculator
With the introduction of the maximum internal water use set through Part G of the Building Regulations, manufacturers of bathroom products are finding ways of masking the actual water use or capacity of their products to ensure the limit of 125 litres per person per day is met. The water use calculator that has to [...]
Achieving Code scores through the design programme
There are a number of potential pitfalls in the Code assessment process in securing the same score at the post construction stage to the design stage. Much of this evolves from the time frame between the two assessment stages, which on large projects can be several years. Maintaining the design stage assumptions through the build [...]
Strategy for ensuring Code compliance
1. START EARLY The Code Assessor is an important member of the team, who will not only be responsible for completing the Code compliance requirements for the development, but can also assist on which credits should be aimed for and how they can be achieved. It is recommended that a core team is formed, to [...]
Better than best practice – CCS scoring
Considerate Constructors Scheme – Guide and Examples of Above Best Practice Scoring CONSIDERATE This section is intended to discover whether the site is fully aware of all those who may be affected by the work and thereafter to see what efforts are made to minimise any nuisance or inconvenience. Communication Preparing a public relations plan [...]
Home User Guides and the Code for Sustainable Homes
Often thought of as ‘easy’ credits to achieve, the Home User Guide needs to: Fulfil all of the elements within Checklist Man1 of the Code Technical Guidance Be fully researched to ensure accurate information Describe specifications for all house and flat types Is made available in alternative formats (e.g. Braille) upon request Is signed off [...]
Daylighting
BRE requires the Average Daylight Factor (ADF) to be equal to or greater than 2% for kitchens and equal to or greater than 1.5% for living/dining rooms and home offices. If the ADF is lower than these levels, natural daylighting would not be effective in illuminating the internal space and artificial light would be in [...]
