NEWS
MPs seek more answers on planning pledge
A vaguely worded environmental pledge in George Osborne’s Budget statement has prompted MPs to push for further clarifi cation. The statement said: ‘Councils
are spending 13% more in real terms on planning permissions than they did fi ve years ago, despite the fact that applications have fallen by a third. ‘Yes, local communities
should have a greater say in planning, but from today… we will introduce a new presumption in favour of sustainable development, so that the default answer to development is “yes”.’ But the Commons
Environmental Audit Committee has asked the government to explain what ‘a presumption in favour of sustainable development’ is, fearing that current standards of sustainability could be watered down. Its report says: ‘We are
concerned that the intention to introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development might not be accompanied by a statutory description of what that means. ‘As a result, the principles of
sustainable development – living with environmental limits, ensuring a strong, healthy and just society, achieving a sustainable economy, promoting good governance and using sound science responsibly – are unlikely to be adequately represented in the planning process.’
www.parliament.uk/eacom
The government’s zero carbon homes policy faces further strong criticism
WWF resignation adds to ministers’ zero carbon woes
● Environmental group walks out of Zero Carbon Hub in protest at policy change
The government’s plans to introduce zero carbon homes has received another blow, as a leading environmental group has joined condemnation of an apparent watering down of the policy. WWF-UK announced that it had
resigned from a govenment advisory body, the Zero Carbon Taskforce, in protest at the change to the zero carbon homes policy that was announced in the March Budget. Last month the UK Green Building
‘ Government has taken a decision to undermine both climate and housing legislation’ Colin Butfi eld
Council and other organisations criticised the announcement in Budget documents that new homes will not have to source all their energy from carbon-neutral sources from 2016. WWF said in a statement: ‘By removing appliances
and their energy use from the defi nition, this policy can no longer be defi ned as “zero carbon”. ‘The change effectively transfers the task of
providing clean energy for these homes from the housebuilder to the wider power sector. ‘It will make decarbonising the grid by 2030 (as recommended by the Committee on Climate Change) that much harder and, by transferring the costs from the housebuilder/homeowner to energy bill payers in general, what was a private cost for a homeowner now becomes a cost for the general public, regardless of income and ability to pay. ‘WWF can therefore no longer work
with the taskforce, nor support the policy. Colin Butfi eld, head of campaigns
at WWF-UK, added: ‘It is a shattering blow to fi nd out, without consultation, that the government has taken a
decision to undermine both climate and housing legislation.’ Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green
Building Council, had previously accused ministers of conducting a ‘U-turn’ on the zero carbon homes policy, saying ‘a zero carbon home will no longer do what it says on the tin.’
Movers & Shakers | The latest appointments in the sector
Allan Mann BSc, PhD, CEng, FREng, FIStructE, MICE has won the 2011 Institution of Structural Engineers Gold Medal award for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of structural engineering.
Surrey-based engineering and sustainability consultants, Flatt Consulting, has appointed Kristian Johnson as technical director.
Lee Thompson has been appointed as an associate at the Surrey- based engineering and sustainability consultants, Flatt Consulting.
Sustainable energy technology business ENER-G has appointed Yan Evans as group business development director. He is a chartered engineer, and is a member of several institutions.
Neil Thomas has been promoted to managing director of Atkins’ UK water and environment business. He previously led its highways and transportation (UK) business.
Donald Lawson has taken over as the worldwide chief executive of multi- disciplinary consultants, Atkins, this month. Previously he was Faithful+Gould’s UK chief operating offi cer.
10
CIBSE Journal May 2011
www.cibsejournal.com
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