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
Kim Coleman joins us to extend our BREEAM services
Kim Coleman has recently joined our BREEAM team to further enhance this growing service. Kim brings with her a wide range of technical experience from BRE and Carillion. Our BREEAM team are able to undertake the full range of BREEAM assessments. Coupled with the BREEAM work we can also carry out energy assessments and modelling [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Assessments, BREEAM, Energy modelling, 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 [...]
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 [...]
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
The changing skyline of London – green roofs playing their part
More and more green roofs are being used in schemes, predominately driven through the planning process, especially in London. In this article we look at the benefits green roofs can bring to not only the development to which it belongs, but also the local area in which it is located. Green roofs have been around [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Building materials, Ecology, Energy efficiency, Insulation, Planning, 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
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 [...]
Planning success on King Edward VII Hospital
In early 2010, City and Country appointed Richard Hodkinson Consultancy to provide both energy and sustainability strategies for the redevelopment of King Edwards VII Hospital in Midhurst. The £180 million plans to restore the hospital has now been granted planning approval and is set to commence work in the coming months. King Edward VII Hospital [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Planning, Refurbishment, Renewable energy, Sustainability
Leave a comment
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. [...]
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
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 [...]
