News archive for April, 2017
Changes to BREEAM and HQM Assessment Fees
Posted on April 28th 2017
The BRE typically update their scheme fees every two or three years and the last fee change for many of the schemes was back in July 2014. Scheme fees are changing in the following versions: Notably the biggest changes are as follows: Registration fees are increasing from £195 to £250 for New Construction and Refurb and Fit Out assessments HQM …
Thermal Bridging Analysis Gives Cost Savings
Posted on April 6th 2017
Results from our recent Façade Optimisation work indicate that Thermal Bridging Analysis represents the most cost effective alternative to expensive fabric uplift measures and/or renewable energy generation systems. Thermal Bridging Analysis is appropriate for all high rise construction projects and ensures that detailed structural elements which frequently penetrate the insulation envelope of a building are correctly specified. As a result …
Implementation of the GLA’s Zero Carbon Homes Policy
Posted on April 5th 2017
Over the last few months, we have been liaising with London boroughs to investigate the implementation of the GLA’s zero carbon homes policy. Out of the responses, we have the following findings: The majority of authorities have set the price of CO2 (over 30 years) at £60/tonne in line with the GLA guidelines, although several have adopted alternative prices including …
Access for All
Posted on April 5th 2017
The Equality Act (2010) requires that reasonable provisions are made where a disabled person would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage when compared to non-disabled people. Some of the adjustments that are expected to be made include: Avoiding the disadvantage caused by a physical feature Providing auxiliary aids and services If reasonable provision is not made, then it is considered discrimination and …
UKGBC Releases Technical Papers on Health and Wellbeing in Homes – with the help of Hodkinson Consultancy
Posted on April 4th 2017
With the help of our technical input, the UK Green Building Council has recently launched a suite of technical papers on health and wellbeing in homes. This builds on their Health and Wellbeing in Homes report launched in July last year, to which Hodkinson Consultancy was a key contributor. The papers build on the guidance provided in the full report, …
Planning Success at Royal Arsenal Riverside – Waterfront 4, 5 & 6 Buildings
Posted on April 4th 2017
We are delighted to have supported Berkeley Homes (East Thames) to gain reserved matters approval for the Waterfront 4, 5 & 6 buildings at Royal Arsenal Riverside (RAR), in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Key to the Waterfront masterplan, the next phase of Waterfront buildings will deliver 764 new high-quality homes and 602m2 of commercial space close to the River …