News
Call for more action to make News in brief
low-carbon homes a reality
F-Gas campaign presses
for delay of EU changes
n
Plans by the UK government irrespective of party politics – to public land more for wind-power Leading industry figures met UK
to make homes much more ensure that these targets are generation. government officials to press
energy efficient have come under met,” he insisted. The government proposals, their case for a delay to the review
criticism. Ministers launched the “In the past too many launched for consultation by of F-Gas Regulation as the Journal
draft Heat and Energy Saving government programmes Energy and Climate Change went to press.
Strategy – which they dubbed the affecting our industry have set out Secretary Ed Miliband and other The Air Conditioning
great British refurb – with the aim with ambitious targets, but failed ministers, proposes the provision and Refrigeration Industry
of making all of Britain’s homes on the delivery.” of cavity wall and loft insulation Board (ACRIB) held talks with
as near zero carbon as possible. CIBSE technical director for all suitable properties by 2015. representatives from three
But the scheme will work only Hywel Davies said: “It is vital that By 2020, seven million homes government departments
if the industry has confidence in government creates confidence will have had whole-house energy covering business, environment
government, the Construction to ensure that investment makeovers, with access to these and energy.
Products Association said. is forthcoming to meet the made available to all homes by The board is urging the
Its chief executive Michael growing demands for low-carbon 2030, according to ministers. government to seek a delay
Ankers described the plan as a buildings, both for new build Miliband said: “Every home or change to the European
“revolution of enormous scale”, and refurbishment of existing must be able to access the help Commission’s proposed review
which he said would cost industry buildings.” and technology it needs, whether of the F-Gas Regulation in 2011.
between £300bn and £500bn to Lord Chris Smith, chairman of it be the installation of a ground Cedric Sloan, director general
complete. the Environment Agency and a or air source heat pump, solar- of umbrella trade body FETA and
“For this partnership to former Labour minister, called for heating, solid wall insulation, a member of the ACRIB F-Gas
succeed, industry needs a raft of additional government or access to a district heating Regulation Working Group, said
confidence that governments over measures on buildings, including scheme. that if a review is necessary, then
the next decades will continue fitting all public buildings with “Most importantly, I want to only a “simple one is needed”.
to make the necessary finance solar or photovoltaic panels; ensure that help to meet the costs Refrigeration feature, page 44
available and maintain the right fitting new buildings with is available to people house by
kind of delivery mechanisms – ground-source pumps; and using house, street by street.” Olympics contractors
welcome reprieve
Assessment concludes eco-town is unviable
Two umbrella bodies
representing thousands of
specialist contracting companies
An independent assessment of the have welcomed the Olympic
proposed eco-town in Stratford- Delivery Authority’s decision not
on-Avon in the UK has claimed it is to deduct cash retentions on any
financially unviable because of the of its contracts.
extra infrastructure needed. The Specialist Engineering
The report came as the Contractors and the National
government announced that it Specialist Contractors said the
was extending the deadline for move would make a significant
consultations on its plans for more contribution to successfully
eco-towns across the country. delivering projects for London’s
The Stratford assessment, 2012 Olympic Games.
conducted by consultants CB Cash retention involves
Richard Ellis, says it would cost holding 5 per cent back from
millions to fund the public contractors in case they go into
transport, highway infrastructure insolvency or produce shoddy
and education services needed Protestors oppose the Middle Quinton plan outside Parliament last year work.
– far exceeding what the six local
authorities opposed to the venture Quinton’ proposal would never be published as the Department New BSRIA guide
would expect to secure from considered under normal planning for Communities and Local Research consultancy BSRIA
developers. processes because of its rural and Government (DCLG) extended has published a new guide, The
Eco-town project co-ordinator at isolated location. The proposal its second round of public Design Framework for Building
Stratford-on-Avon District Council, includes at least 6,000 houses, consultations on eco-towns. Services BG 6/2009, which has
Colin Staves, said he believed that plus retail and leisure facilities, an A spokesman for CLG said been restructured to dovetail
other eco-town locations could be incinerator and guided busway on the extension was a response RIBA’s changes to stages E and F
in a similar situation. a 600-acre rural site. to a recent judicial review of its of its Plan of Work, and the 2007
“These projects are being He said a more sustainable eco-town plans in which a judge CIC Consultants’ Contract.
parachuted in without having approach would be to allow rejected the arguments of an Prices are £60 for non-
been considered as part of the eco-development near existing opposition campaign group, members and £30 for BSRIA
development plan for the region settlements which already have BARD, which is now being given members, available from the
and local areas in which they have essential infrastructures and time to respond to the judge’s BSRIA bookshop on 01344
been proposed,” he said. services in place. findings. The plan has identified 11 465529 or www.bsria.co.uk/
Staves said the ‘Middle The assessment was shortlisted eco-town locations. bookshop
www.cibsejournal.com March 2009 CIBSE Journal 7
CIBSEmar09 pp06-07 news.indd 7 5/3/09 17:02:09
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