Competition for Lithium is reported to be fierce. What is it, and what does it mean for our chances of phasing out fossil fuels for good? Lithium, referred to as white gold due to its silvery colour, is one of the lightest and most reactive elements on earth. This makes it ideal for storing energy […]
Utilities Management – What does the future hold?
The past few years have seen sweeping changes across the UK’s energy sector and this shows no sign of slowing down. The Government’s commitment to becoming ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050 has coincided with high fuel prices and critical fuel shortages due to the war in the Ukraine, the lack of battery storage, and issues with […]
National Grid’s call for action to prevent UK from falling behind in international race to deliver cleaner energy infrastructure
Without major upgrades to the grid, the UK will fall well behind in the race to achieve Net Zero status, National Grid announced earlier this year. With a 50% rise in demand for electricity expected by 2035, five ‘fundamental’ areas will need to be addressed: Given that 2035 will be here before we know it, […]
Levelling up and the Regeneration Bill: What this means for planning
Town planning has risen up the Government agenda and will play a central role in the aspiration to ‘level up’ the country. The property profession can expect a huge increase in activity over the year; fasten your seatbelts! The reforms will have wide ranging implications in all corners of the system: the way that development […]
Decarbonising our existing homes – how can we do our bit?
So here we are – right in the middle of a huge Climate Crisis, and with fuel prices soaring. For the time being at least, things look set to get much worse before they get better. Global warming clearly needs to be addressed – and fast. The UK Government is aiming to bring all homes […]
HyNet: what is it, and could it affect you?
What is HyNet? HyNet North West is a major new venture, due to be launched by Cadent and scheduled to begin in 2025. It will deliver the UK’s first 100% hydrogen pipeline. What will this involve? A combination of new technology and infrastructure, and upgrading and re-purposing of existing fossil fuel production plants, to produce, […]
Levelling Up and the Regeneration Bill: Further hope for under-utilised land?
The Levelling up and Regeneration Bill was introduced into Parliament on 11 May 2022 and moved to report stage in the House of Lords in July 2023. Could the new Bill assist with brownfield development and encourage the use of under-utilised buildings? There are some positive signs: Land Ownership Data: Information on contractual arrangements used by […]
The Forgotten Brownfield Sites
We have all seen headlines over the past year about sweeping changes made by the Government to help release more brownfield sites for housing development, however are our local authorities (LAs) making the most of their brownfield registers? Whilst the Prime Minister has confidently announced that “We will build fantastic new homes in brownfield sites […]
What is a Brownfield Register?
In light of the UK Government’s recent planning reforms most of us now know what brownfield land is. But what is a brownfield land register? Brownfield Land Register Every local authority (LA) is required to keep an up to date register of sites that could potentially be suitable for housing development. Currently the sites must […]
Historic Properties: Time for a Renaissance?
Historic England holds the official ‘At Risk’ register of properties in the UK listed as Grade I, II or II* (including places of worship). At the present time this list includes some 5,097 entries, all of which are in need of rescuing. The charity Save Britain’s Heritage (SAVE) also has a register of buildings that […]
