News
The Launch of BREEAM V7
Posted on August 30th 2024
BREEAM New Construction Version 7 has just been pre-released for consultation. It has been updated to mirror the latest science in order to remain closely aligned with industry objectives and further reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. The latest version of the world-renowned sustainability assessment for the built environment will be launched officially towards the end of the year. We …
4 Months Left For Large Plant To Comply With MCPD
Posted on August 30th 2024
Only four months left for existing sites, with combustion plant rated between 5MW and 50MW, to achieve compliance with their Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) permits. Based on MCPD transitional rules, these sites should have secured a permit by 1st January 2024 and now have until 1st January 2025 to comply with their permits. Compliance could include: Installation of abatement …
Mitcham Gasworks – Planning Success
Posted on August 30th 2024
St William’s Mitcham Gasworks development has been granted planning consent. The site will provide 579 homes in the London Borough of Merton and benefits from a comprehensive sustainability strategy which was discussed with both LB Merton and the GLA prior to submission. Our work addressed several key themes: Low carbon and future-proofed heat network – with no feasible sources of …
RICS v2 – What do you need to know?
Posted on August 30th 2024
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) released the second version of its Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (WLCA) and it has been in effect since 01 July 2024. Overall, RICS v2 aims to provide a more robust, detailed, and internationally aligned framework for whole life carbon assessments, helping the industry move towards more sustainable and carbon-neutral …
Hodkinson is 25 this week!
Posted on August 16th 2024
This week marks our 25th anniversary of providing advice so we can all make a difference across the built environment. We would like to thank you all for your continued support and trust over the years to work on interesting and challenging projects. We look forward to the next 25 years of continuing to help the industry by providing practical …
ESCOs Take The Heat Away From Landlords, But Not Entirely
Posted on August 1st 2024
ESCO models for heat network management help landlords ensure the responsibility for heat supply is passed on to specialists, but landlords should ensure ESCO contracts are managed on their side to ensure their residents receive a fair service and their assets are protected. Much of the legal and commercial risk for supplying heat to residents can be passed on to …
How We Think This Government Will Impact Building Design
Posted on July 31st 2024
We have reviewed their manifesto pledges and highlighted some key changes to look out for that will impact sustainable building design: Clean energy by 2030 Commitment to achieve net zero-carbon electricity by 2030 will lead to greater heat pump adoption. Cleaner gas using hydrogen is expected to impact industrial clusters and not dwellings. The government has not clarified their position …
What Are Passivhaus Principles?
Posted on July 31st 2024
The Passivhaus principles by themselves are not prescriptive, so this can cause confusion when assessing buildings against them. If the principles are interpreted relatively loosely, new high-density developments in London often align well with them from the start. This is because many new developments already incorporate key elements, which are aligned with what is listed by the Passivhaus institute as …
Bath Gasworks – Planning Success
Posted on July 31st 2024
St William’s proposed Bath Gasworks development has been unanimously granted planning consent. Providing 611 homes, sustainability is at the heart of the proposals. Our approach pursued a comprehensive strategy which addresses lifecycle carbon and overheating risk. Our work navigated a number of challenges, including: New and challenging planning policy – Bath Gasworks was one of the first large developments to …
BREEAM 2024 Award Finalists
Posted on July 2nd 2024
We provided BREEAM consultancy advice to Mountbatten House, Southampton, which has been shortlisted as a finalist at the BREEAM Awards 2024 within the ‘best refurbishment & Fit-Out project’ category. Previously a tired 1990’s office space, the Georgian building was stripped out and the internal space re-modelled to create a contemporary layout that focuses on collaboration and co-working. It was the …