Welcome to PBC Today February 2024. In our first issue of 2024, we look at everything from calls to reform “flawed” Energy Performance Certificates, the rise of cyber-physical infrastructure, and the Timber in Construction Roadmap
In our cover story, Fay Holland, senior energy policy adviser at the Energy Systems Catapult, argues that as the UK gears up to decarbonise its built environment, there must be an overhaul of Energy Performance Certificates to better reflect the real-world performance of our buildings.
Meanwhile, as mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain regulations come into force this month, Lara Dresser of sustainability consultant Tunley Environmental looks at the likely impact on housing development, while Kerry Whalley of Arup discusses the importance of environment-led design in addressing the climate, pollution and related social challenges facing the built environment.
We also look at the costly issue of subsidence, the future of drone technology and how urban design can support better economic growth.
Elsewhere, David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK, looks at the government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap, arguing that it represents the clearest signal yet that Whitehall is serious about decarbonising construction.
We also catch up on the launch of the National Cyber-Physical Infrastructure ecosystem, a new cross-sector collaboration led by the Digital Catapult, Connected Places Catapult through the Digital Twin Hub and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which aims to build a shared vision for how we develop and connect cyber-physical systems and break down siloed innovation.
Here’s a selection of what’s in this edition:
As the UK gears up to decarbonise its built environment, the Energy Systems Catapult is calling for reform of the flawed Energy Performance Certificates to better reflect buildings’ real-world performance. Senior energy policy adviser Fay Holland looks at how EPCs can be made to work better for net zero.
With a design lens, Luke Hillson, design partner at Marrons, gives his thoughts on the latest changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which concern clarity of communication, density, character and continue to emphasise beauty further.
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain regulations came into force from February, requiring a 10% gain on new developments a condition of planning permission. Lara Dresser, sustainability scientist at Tunley Environmental, examines the new framework and the likely impact on developers.
The Energy Act 2023 enshrines the principle of expanding the use of heat networks. Arezou Yavarianfar, senior associate at law firm Winckworth Sherwood, looks at how those developing and operating heat networks can stay up to date with the developing regulatory framework.
New guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers examines the challenges presented by subsidence. John Patch, chair of the IStructE’s Subsidence Taskgroup, explains why better cross-sector collaboration is needed to tackle this costly problem.
Drone technology might be hitting the headlines due to their vital usage by the armed forces in global conflicts, but its potential is also fast expanding in the world of real estate. Louise Irvine, senior knowledge development lawyer at Forsters, takes a look.
Ben Moss, business psychologist and managing director at Robertson Cooper, discusses new research on presenteeism in construction and its implications for the industry.
The tide of public opinion towards noise pollution is turning at an ever-increasing pace – but one form of protection often overlooked by construction firms is a commitment to legislative compliance in the form of a Section 61 agreement. Dusan Durdevic, associate at urban planning consultancy Urban Thinking, looks deeper into why Section 61 agreements should form a central part of every planning application.
The UK government has given its clearest signal yet that it’s serious about decarbonising construction as it laid out its Timber in Construction Roadmap late last year, says David Hopkins, chief executive of Timber Development UK.
Nearly 200 delegates gathered for the launch of a new community designed to encourage a cross-sector approach to the future development of a cyber-physical ecosystem in the UK and beyond.
