NEWS
Local housing rules ‘unrealistic’
Housebuilders and groups representing local government have condemned the high number and variable quality of local planning standards. They have called for a rationalisation process, including the elimination of some initiatives such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the ‘Merton Rule’.
The Local Housing Delivery Group (LHDG), chaired by Sir John Harman, was set up following a request from Housing Minister Grant Shapps, to help address the housing crisis. Its fi rst interim report calls for a ‘simplifi cation’ of the process, as complying with the many standards can ‘have an adverse effect on the viability of some developments’. The report, A Review of Local Standards for the Delivery of New Homes, is a response to the establishment of the new National
Planning Policy Framework, which gives councils increased infl uence over the housebuilding process. The Home Builders Federation and the Local Government Association have agreed to abide by the report’s recommendations, which include an urgent government-backed review and consolidation of existing housing standards ‘to ensure they meet the aspirations of local communities without undermining viability’. The LHDG believes that many local plans are not realistic or viable, and Harman said local authorities needed to strike a balance between sustainability and economic viability, and should adopt a collaborative approach to devising local plans. He said: ‘The trouble about the system for local standards is there isn’t one. To create this system will be a challenge, but now is the time.’
Industry failing to attract female students
Many engineering firms are struggling to attract female applicants despite 17% of job vacancies in England now being directly attributed to skills shortages. A report, by consultant UKRC & WISE, and sponsored by BAE Systems, suggests that too few girls opt for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at school, and so are unable to access science and technical careers. The report says this is a cultural – rather than an ability – issue, adding that despite major attempts to promote STEM subjects, only 76 more girls studied physics in 2011 than in 2001.
CIBSE is making diversity a priority, according to Angela Ringguth, the Institution’s education consultant. She told a recent CIBSE Patrons meeting that 15% of graduate members are female, but this proportion falls to less than 6% at chartered membership level. Ringguth said: ‘We think young women members are falling away after they come into the industry – possibly because our profession is not particularly family friendly.’ CIBSE has now set up a diversity panel, chaired by immediate past president Andy Ford, to consider how to improve recruitment and retention of female engineers.
US engineers must reach out
New ASHRAE president Tom Watson has called on engineers to take a more proactive role in the development of their communities. Watson’s Community Sustainability Project programme sets out to encourage US engineers to share
www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE half page Aug
12.indd 1
knowledge with local projects. The aim is to improve the built environment for groups that would otherwise struggle technically and fi nancially. Watson made the appeal at his presidential address at an ASHRAE Conference in San Antonio.
scan here for more information or visit our website
demandcontrolventilation.com
PUTTING YOU IN MORE CONTROL.
40°C 100 50 150 200 Pa 250 300 CO2 20°C 10°C 30°C DEMAND CONTROL VENTILATION
Financial incentives aimed at increasing the amount of heat and electricity generated from geothermal sources are likely to be set too low to stimulate investment, renewables experts have claimed.
At Elta Fans, we understand the principle behind Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) to ensure your building is ventilated effectively according to occupancy levels and carrying ambient conditions, thereby minimising energy wastage, whilst maximising indoor air quality.
Take a look at our growing range of DCV fans, which integrate energy efficient fan impeller units with the ability to use Demand Control Ventilation methodology.
For more information contact Elta Fans on +44 (0) 1384 275800.
The government plans to freeze payments to geothermal projects under the Renewable Obligation scheme and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
demandcontrolventilation.com See the growing range
of DCV fans at
August 2012 CIBSE Journal
9 09/07/2012 11:53
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60