Green Building Forum - Advising my local authority Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:32:48 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264871#Comment_264871 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264871#Comment_264871 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:48:50 +0000 tony
Sounds good doesn’t it, but what does it mean? Nothing! Targets need to SMART

I am going to suggest that they adopt Passive House, even though this is not my favourite robust low energy standard it is being used more and more widely. So if we said a date by which it should be in place then that would be it.

Anyone wanna suggest a realistic date for that please]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264872#Comment_264872 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264872#Comment_264872 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 16:01:04 +0000 SteamyTea
But do you mean they want to make things part of the local planning policy.
If that is the case they can offer a discount on the application and BC costs as long as certain criteria are met i.e. PV, ASHP, minimum overall U-Value of say 0.15, airtighness of 0.5 ACH, minimum 2 bed places etc

They could also, and this is topical, offer council owned land at a huge discount if it is developed as above and 50 trees are planted on the site for every house. May make for less cramped housing and certainly a lot more creative.
Just imagine a small development of 6 houses with 300 fruit trees as the garden.]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264875#Comment_264875 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264875#Comment_264875 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 19:40:43 +0000 delprado Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264876#Comment_264876 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264876#Comment_264876 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 19:45:54 +0000 tony
I like Minergie, it is purely an energy standard, it has an option for reverb]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264878#Comment_264878 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264878#Comment_264878 Sat, 20 Jan 2018 21:15:47 +0000 djh Posted By: tonyMy local authority say that they want buildings to perform better than current building regulations.
I thought it was illegal for a council to require anything in addition to building regs?]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264958#Comment_264958 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264958#Comment_264958 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:47:14 +0000 CWatters Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264959#Comment_264959 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264959#Comment_264959 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:49:15 +0000 tony Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264960#Comment_264960 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264960#Comment_264960 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:51:48 +0000 CWatters I am going to suggest that they adopt Passive House, even though this is not my favourite robust low energy standard it is being used more and more widely. So if we said a date by which it should be in place then that would be it.

I reckon they need to figure out if the NPPF allows them to impose such a planning condition. If not then they need to get it into the local plan which will take some time and process.]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264961#Comment_264961 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264961#Comment_264961 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:53:15 +0000 CWatters Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264963#Comment_264963 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264963#Comment_264963 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 08:15:53 +0000 DarylP :bigsmile: What are you trying to suggest...?]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264964#Comment_264964 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264964#Comment_264964 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:25:09 +0000 HollyBush Posted By: tonyMy local authority say that they want buildings to perform better than current building regulations.



I have trouble understanding this. Some of the questions it raises for me:

1 - Do they mean they want "better" standards than current Building regs?
2 - What is the scope? (All buildings in the LA, just new domestic, or all new?)
3 - Are they going to create local bye-laws to enforce?
4 - How are they going to police it?
5 - What are the outcomes they are hoping to see (few accidents, less transport, fewer fumes, less spend on energy, occupier comfort, less mould, few health issues)
6 - How are they measuring current performance and future?
7 - Are they doing a cost benefit analysis and what are the criteria?
8 - Are all areas smoke controlled?
9 - Is it integrated with a transport plan?
etc]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264965#Comment_264965 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264965#Comment_264965 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:38:01 +0000 CWatters Posted By: CWattersRemember there is no need for builders to use the councils Building Control Department.

Posted By: DarylP.................:devil:" alt=":devil:" src="https:///newforum/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/devil.gif" >:bigsmile:" alt=":bigsmile:" src="https:///newforum/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/bigsmile.gif" >What are you trying to suggest...?


Only that builders can use private building control providers instead of LABC..

https://www.rbcltd.co.uk/pages/why-use-rbc-instead-of-a-local-authority.html]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264977#Comment_264977 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264977#Comment_264977 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:54:10 +0000 tony
Please apply for a job to help them]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264988#Comment_264988 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=264988#Comment_264988 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 14:23:30 +0000 djh
https://www.ukgbc.org/sites/default/files/Briefing%20on%20changes%20to%20planning%20and%20regulations%20for%20new%20homes_0.pdf]]> Advising my local authority https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=265021#Comment_265021 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15514&Focus=265021#Comment_265021 Tue, 23 Jan 2018 20:05:57 +0000 HollyBush Posted By: tony

Please apply for a job to help them

:bigsmile: happy to, but sounds like you will have just as much of an impact if you suggest they build all their new stock in Spain....]]>