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Synegra Group News

• UK Government releases £1.5bn of funding for energy-efficient homes 3rd October 2022
  The UK Government has announced a £1.5bn fund for local authorities and social housing providers to improve energy efficiency in 130,000 properties. The funding is being made available through two existing ‘Help to Heat’ schemes – the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. HUG is receiving up to £700m and the remaining […]
• Concern over mini budget’s energy focus 29th September 2022
  Key organisations in the sustainability sector have expressed concerns and disappointment following the U.K. Chancellor’s mini budget believing it failed to deliver appropriate measures to safeguard homes and businesses from rocketing energy prices. While there is support for Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s measures to fast track offshore wind development, many pointed to missed opportunities on other […]
• New bid to boost biodiversity 9th September 2022
  All new developments will have to improve biodiversity on their site by a minimum of 10% under the new Environment Act in a bid to boost sustainability. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach used to improve a site’s biodiversity value – habitat creation or enhancement after proving they have avoided or mitigated harm. The […]
• Calls for indoor air quality ratings to be publicised 6th September 2022
  Hotels and other businesses have been urged to let consumers know the standard of their indoor air quality (IAQ) after a survey revealed its importance to users amid the COVID pandemic. Carbon Lighthouse examined indoor air quality and its perception by the public. The U.S. Consumer Sentiment on Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19 survey found that a “vast […]
• Cost crisis: Businesses backtracking on sustainability are urged to keep environmental focus 31st August 2022
  Less than 20% of business owners vowed to keep environmental credentials as a priority focus in the short term given the cost of living crisis, a new report has revealed. One third of respondents admitted to de-prioritising sustainability in light of rising energy and resources costs, said survey organisers, Gousto, the recipe box service who […]
• Net zero strategy unlawful, court rules 22nd July 2022
  On the day the UK was subject to its first ever red alert for extreme heat, the Government was dealt an embarrassing blow as the High Court ruled its strategy for getting to Net Zero is inadequate and unlawful. The Climate Change Act requires Government to hit Net Zero by 2050, to make proposals as […]
• Paragraph 80 design 2nd June 2022
  Government guidelines for building new homes in isolated rural settings have changed and developers must now plan for a building which is ‘truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture…and significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area’ if it is to qualify as an exception. Paragraph […]
• Carbon Reduction Plans required for Government contract bids 16th May 2022
  Companies bidding for large Government contracts now have to prove how they are reducing their carbon footprint as part of the national drive towards Net Zero in 2050. From 30th September last year, contractors hoping to secure Government contracts worth more than £5million have had to provide a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) explaining how they […]
• Overheating: Building Regulations Part O 25th April 2022
  New rules relating to heating and cooling buildings are set to come into force in June this year. Section O of the Building Regulations 2010 will be effective from June 15 to protect the health and welfare of a building’s occupants. It will cover the design and construction of buildings to achieve two key objectives […]
• VAT relief on retrofit and renewables 25th March 2022
  VAT has been scrapped on energy saving products and home solar panels by the UK’s Chancellor in his Spring Statement aimed at easing the country’s cost of living crisis. The relief – down from its already discounted rate of 5% – will be in place for at least fie years, Rishi Sunak said. It covers […]