Air quality
Assessments
Biomass
BREEAM
Building materials
CEEQUAL
CHP
Climate change
CO2 emissions
Code
Community energy
Daylight
Drainage
Ecology
Energy efficiency
Energy modelling
Energy Performance Certification
Environmental standards
Guides
Heat pumps
Housing quality
Inclusive Design Champion
Insulation
Lighting
Modern methods
MVHR
Part L
Part M
Planning
Pollution
Refurbishment
Renewable energy
SAP
Site waste
Solar PV
Solar thermal
Sustainability
Waste
Water
Zero carbon
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 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Code, Environmental standards, Housing quality, Planning, Sustainability
Leave a comment
Planning implications for schemes with large water using features
There are advantages and disadvantages of incorporating large water-using features into landscape designs. On the one hand water features add amenity value, ecological value and can be used as a technique for attenuating surface water run-off. On the other hand they usually require large volumes of water and can often consume large amounts of energy. [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Climate change, Drainage, Ecology, Environmental standards, Planning, Sustainability, Water
Leave a comment
BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment and Planning
Existing buildings are currently responsible for approximately 27% of CO2 emissions produced in the UK. With local planning authorities updating their policies to reflect the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), in the absence of the adopted local plan, the use of BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment is expected to increase significantly. Paragraph 95 of the NPPF states [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, CO2 emissions, Environmental standards, Planning, Refurbishment, Sustainability, Zero carbon
Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, CO2 emissions, Code, Energy Performance Certification, Environmental standards, Part L, SAP, Sustainability
Leave a comment
NEW – BREEAM Simple Buildings Manual and Criteria Released
Following our article last month introducing BREEAM Simple Buildings, the new guidance was released by BRE on 13th March 2013. After reviewing the criteria within this new BREEAM scheme we think this is a positive change for our clients. Many small commercial units within larger schemes could now be assessed using this cheaper and simpler [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Environmental standards, Guides, Planning, Sustainability
Leave a comment
Planning Reforms & the NPPF – Change, Uncertainty and Opportunity
The end of March sees the 12-month anniversary of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). With this comes the expiry of the transitional arrangements, and moves the industry into a period of both uncertainty and opportunity. The NPPF was published on the 27 March 2012, and took immediate effect. It sets a clear message [...]
The Value of Energy Modelling
Over the past twelve months, Richard Hodkinson Consultancy has invested significant resources developing our energy modelling capabilities to assist our clients. We use 3D modeling software tools such as DesignBuilder and Hevacomp for strategic heating design, cooling design, HVAC simulation, overheating assessments, daylight and sunlight analysis. SBEM Part L Compliance: DesignBuilder uses data such [...]
BREEAM Simple Buildings
The cost of a BREEAM assessment varies depending on the nature of the building assessed. A new standard ‘BREEAM Simple Buildings’ may reduce the cost of assessment for certain developments. BREEAM Certification Fees BREEAM Scheme Total Fees Registration Fees Design stage Post Construction Stage BREEAM Bespoke £3,540 £2,250 £900 £390 BREEAM New Construction – Other [...]
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 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Building materials, Climate change, Code, Environmental standards, Sustainability
Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Code, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Planning, Sustainability
Leave a comment
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 [...]
Part F and drying clothes indoors
Many new homes, particularly flats, are being designed without adequate facilities for drying laundry. A study in Scotland, by the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit, showed that 87% of households dry their clothes indoors during the heating season, with 64% drying laundry on or near heating sources. The average amount of moisture produced in [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Air quality, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Housing quality, MVHR, Water
Leave a comment
Richard Hodkinson Consultancy working as energy and sustainability consultant on 3 of the top 10 regeneration projects in the UK
Richard Hodkinson Consultancy is working as energy and sustainability consultant on three of the top ten regeneration projects in the UK: Greenwich Peninsula, Royal Arsenal and Kidbrooke Village. The Top 100 Regeneration Projects 2012 in the UK was published earlier this year by Planning and Regeneration & Renewal. At Kidbrooke, we prepared the Energy Strategy [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged BREEAM, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Planning, Refurbishment, Sustainability
Leave a comment
Northstowe New Town a Step Closer
Gallagher’s development of the first phase of Northstowe is a step closer after the joint committee of members of South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council resolved to grant outline planning permission, subject to the completion of a legal agreement. Richard Hodkinson Consultancy supported the application through preparation of an Energy Statement for the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Planning, Sustainability, Zero carbon
Leave a comment
NPPF & financial viability: impact of energy and sustainability
The issue of viability in planning has moved up the agenda this year with the publication in March of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which requires local authorities to consider viability in both plan-making and decision-taking. Schemes need to be proven to be viable to demonstrate economic sustainability. It is therefore very important to [...]
November 2010 Code guidance in practice
Our experience in using the most recent Code guidance issued in November 2010 has highlighted the following issues. ENE 8 The latest Code guidance requires communal cycle stores to meet various aspects of Section 2 of Secured by Design (SBD) New Homes 2010. These security requirements are mostly defined within the ENE 8 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, Building materials, Environmental standards, Insulation
Leave a comment
Should commercial units be connected to district heat networks?
Many predominantly residential developments also contain small ground floor commercial units. Where district heating (including CHP) is proposed for the dwellings, planning authorities generally seek for the commercial units to also be connected. We have concluded that this is not necessarily technically appropriate or viable. The aim of district heating with CHP is to facilitate [...]
BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment – what’s new?
The BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment scheme opened for registrations on Monday 2nd July 2012; it’s a performance based assessment and certification scheme for domestic buildings undergoing refurbishment and has replaced EcoHomes which is being phased out. The Code for Sustainable Homes is only appropriate for new build and therefore this BREEAM scheme will be important for [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged BREEAM, Environmental standards, Refurbishment, Sustainability
Leave a comment
BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) will be accepting BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment registrations from the start of July 2012, until then EcoHomes will continue to be used for refurbishment projects. BRE have stated that there will not be a gap between the end of EcoHomes and the start of BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment; instead there will be an overlap [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged BREEAM, Environmental standards, Refurbishment, Sustainability
Leave a comment
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 [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Code, Energy efficiency, Environmental standards, Water
Leave a comment
