New regulations in the UK and abroad signal mounting scrutiny on the misleading practice of greenwashing. Alex Minett, Head of Global New Markets at CHAS, looks at what these changes are and how businesses can respond. Greenwashing is used to describe misinformation about the environmental and sustainability claims of an
Award-winning sustainability consultancy Action Sustainability has today released its new report offering unprecedented insights into the current state of sustainable procurement adoption and maturity across various industries in the United Kingdom. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the field of supply chain sustainability, with sustainable procurement garnering
Whitecode Consulting, a leading engineering consultancy firm, is pleased to announce the participation of its Managing Director, Alex Hill, in the publishing of an expert commentary on the revised British Standard BS 5422:2023, in partnership with the British Standards Institution (BSI) following Alex’s involvement in the committee that amended the
Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue. The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The
The latest research from digital property pack provider, Moverly, has found that the vast majority of UK property professionals believe the provision of upfront information is positive for the property industry, with the biggest reasons being an improved level of transparency for homebuyers, a streamlined conveyancing process and the reduced
Carrier hosted an educational webinar to discuss how heat pump technology can play a vital role in decarbonising the commercial heating segment and help companies in different industries move closer to net zero. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was
FLOODING is an age-old consideration when it comes to urban development, but it has historically been most commonly associated with rivers, the sea or groundwater. However, recent research has shown just how big a threat surface water is, making up the lion’s share of the UK’s flood risk. Dave Bathurst,
New regulations in the UK and abroad signal mounting scrutiny on the misleading practice of greenwashing. Alex Minett, Head of Global New Markets at CHAS, looks at what these changes are and how businesses can respond. Greenwashing is used to describe misinformation about the environmental and sustainability claims of an organisation. It’s an all too common practice. Marketing ploys, vague assurances and manipulation of language and symbols are adopted by companies looking to present themselves as more environmentally responsible than they actually are. As awareness around greenwashing increases, so too does the demand for evidence on eco claims. Businesses not only need to be prepared to demonstrate their own sustainability processes, but ensure their supply chains are ready for scrutiny too. Who are the greenwashing culprits? Greenwashing is employed by a wide range of companies, organisations and even governments. Very often, it is a case of all talk, no action, but some firms go further with their attempts to mislead via deceptive labelling or disingenuous marketing campaigns. The motivation to greenwash might simply be to improve public image but it can also involve diverting attention from more negative environmental practices that are being undertaken elsewhere in an organisation. What is the impact of greenwashing? Greenwashing is not an innocuous practice. It can deceive consumers or stakeholders into thinking they are making environmentally responsible choices when in reality, they may be supporting companies that are not sincerely committed to sustainability. And when companies falsely claim to be environmentally friendly, they may draw support and revenue away from ones that are making genuine efforts to reduce their environmental impact. Greenwashing also hinders meaningful progress in addressing sustainability and the environment. It gives the impression that issues are being adequately dealt with, leading to complacency and a lack of urgency in moving forward with sustainable practices and meeting environmental targets. Eroding consumer trust can result in cynicism and apathy which also impacts progress. What is being done about greenwashing? In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are putting forward a package of new measures to build transparency and trust around sustainability. These measures include sustainable investment labels, disclosure requirements and restrictions on using terms such as ‘ESG’, ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ in product naming and marketing. They also propose an ‘anti-greenwashing’ rule that would apply to all FCA regulated firms, reiterating that sustainability-related claims must be clear, fair and not misleading. With the consultation period ending at the start of 2023, dates for implementing these measures are expected to be published before the end of the year. Meanwhile the EU is planning its Green Claims Directive, which sets out new minimum norms for how companies substantiate, communicate and verify their environmental claims to consumers in the EU. The directive will apply to the vast majority of EU operating companies, from SMEs to large public companies, and across industries. This includes companies based outside the EU that target EU consumers. While still only in draft stage, once the directive comes into force, member states will have 18 months to transfer it into national law and a further six months before the rules are applied. The commission expects a timeline of around four years for the directive to apply. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also taking aim at the practice of greenwashing by big business with an update to its “Green Guides”. The intention is to give the agency stronger legal cases against polluters by clarifying when companies’ deceptive marketing around sustainability and environmental responsibility violates federal law. How can businesses respond? The crackdown on greenwashing is gaining traction globally, and the onus is on businesses to maintain transparency and be ready to evidence their genuine commitment to sustainability. This includes verifying that their supply chain partners are operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Engaging the services of a third-party organisation such as CHAS can provide assurance to firms looking to strengthen their environmental credibility. CHAS offers accreditation for contractors and suppliers to help them demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility and enhance their credibility. This includes latest assessments, such as the CHAS Advanced and CHAS Elite accreditations, as well as the CHAS Verified Supplier qualification which all include environmental assessments. Meanwhile, CHAS Clients have access to a database of accredited contractors and suppliers via the CHAS Client Portal, which enables them to search for organisations via trade, location and qualification level, meaning they can easily find partners who have confirmed their commitment to operating responsibly. Furthermore, clients can look for additional accreditations such as the CHAS Social Value Level 1 assessment that considers the value an organisation adds to society beyond its reported profits. The assessment considers how a contractor addresses a range of social value issues, including climate change and environmental degradation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning sustainability consultancy Action Sustainability has today released its new report offering unprecedented insights into the current state of sustainable procurement adoption and maturity across various industries in the United Kingdom. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the field of supply chain sustainability, with sustainable procurement garnering global awareness. However, although numerous organisations are taking action to become more sustainable themselves, they often fall short in extending this to their supply chains. In response to this, Action Sustainability has published a ‘Sustainable Procurement Progress Report 2023’, drawing from their evaluations of various organisations against the ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement Standard. Findings in this report indicate that, while organisations that invest in sustainable procurement have some level of sustainability embedded in their procurement activities, more progress needs to be made for this to be perceived as business-as-usual and to fully realise all benefits. The report provides valuable insights to organisations aiming to start embedding sustainability into procurement practices, as well as those seeking to further develop their existing approaches. Key highlights from the report: Central to the report’s vision is the need to embed sustainable procurement across each spending area and continually seek improvement. It advocates for a collaborative approach, emphasising communication, knowledge-sharing and partnership throughout the value chain as key to shaping a more sustainable future. Shaun McCarthy OBE, Director of Action Sustainability, said: “This report provides useful case studies and advice from some of the numerous people we have worked with over the years. We have not taken a scattergun approach to this work, reporting on sectors based on flimsy research, we have focused on those sectors where we have comprehensive, hands-on experience and insight. It is not a complete overview of sustainable procurement; it is our attempt to share what we really know.” Dale Turner, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain at Skanska, added: “Over the last 10 years, there has been greater alignment between our customers and extended supply chain. The hierarchy of the relationships are aimed at encouraging collaboration and achieving more value together. A sustainable procurement approach also drives a more diverse supply chain which helps to manage risk and understand where innovation can be applied down the tiers of the supply chain to make our projects more efficient and productive.” To access the complete report and gain an in-depth understanding of the sustainable procurement landscape, visit Action Sustainability’s website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whitecode Consulting, a leading engineering consultancy firm, is pleased to announce the participation of its Managing Director, Alex Hill, in the publishing of an expert commentary on the revised British Standard BS 5422:2023, in partnership with the British Standards Institution (BSI) following Alex’s involvement in the committee that amended the existing standard. The revised comprehensive standard provides methods for specifying thermal insulating materials used in pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork, and equipment operating within the temperature range of -40 °C to +700 °C. The full revision of BS 5422:2023 takes into account the latest influences on the energy landscape. The objective of the revision is to update insulation types and performance levels to those who currently dominate the market. The revised standard offers improved insulation options, aiming to reduce losses and anticipate a greater future contribution from district heating systems. Additionally, it provides greater clarity on insulation fire performance, ensuring the construction industry’s focus remains on safety. The main commentary on the revised standard highlights several principal changes. The tables have been simplified, removing thermal conductivity values for materials that are no longer supplied or rarely used. The revision also introduces the use of ‘less than or equal to’ values for all pipe sizes, reducing the need for interpolation and increasing overall thermal efficiency. The standard defines reaction to fire in terms of Euroclass, providing a more comprehensive assessment of materials’ behaviour in fire conditions. Enhanced insulation thicknesses have been captured from the legacy Energy Technology List/Capital Allowances levels, offering further enhancements and aligning with other emerging pipework insulation standards. Regarding the wider context, BS 5422:2023 is referenced in the Building Regulations Merged Approved Documents, specifically Approved Document L Volume 1 and Volume 2. The standard provides a method for compliance in “limiting heat losses and gains from building services.” Additionally, the revised standard complements other standards such as CIBSE CP1 Heat networks: Code of Practice for the UK (2020). Alex Hill, Managing Director of Whitecode Consulting, commented, “We are pleased to work alongside the British Standards Institution to provide expert commentary on BS 5422:2023 and expert advice at the committee. This revised standard reflects the latest advancements in thermal insulating materials and aligns with the evolving energy landscape. We believe that this update is a necessary step towards achieving lower carbon emissions while adhering to other parallel normative standards.” Whitecode recommends several next steps for organisations in response to the new standard. These include conducting a Gap Analysis to assess compliance requirements, informing relevant stakeholders, updating internal procedures and documentation, and reviewing training needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue. The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products including the LEANSAFE® X3 and Adjustable & Linking PRO Platform. For over 100 years, the Werner brand has been revered across the industry for its broad product line and its commitment to placing safety at its fore. Its vast range of products have been designed with the user in mind, helping to make working at height safer and faster, whatever the job. The catalogue includes Werner’s entire portfolio of extension ladders; stepladders; roof ladders; fibreglass ladders; aluminium ladders; telescopic ladders; stepstools; work platforms; access towers; loft ladders, and lock-in accessories such as paint cups and utility buckets. Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, said: “Werner takes considerable pride in its continued investment in new products, markets and technologies. The Werner brand has achieved some exciting new developments and milestones over the past year, such as its 100-year anniversary and the launch of new innovative products such as the Pro Plus Tower, and we are excited to launch a new catalogue which reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation, and also its reputation as the number one choice for professionals.” Featuring product specifications, designated usage and key benefits, as well as explaining European safety standards, the catalogue is the ideal tool to assist professionals with choosing the most suitable working at height equipment for their professions. In addition to extensive information and guidance in the brochure, Werner’s recent campaign, Stepping Up to Ladder Safety, offers five individual guides highlighting how professionals can choose the right equipment for the job and how to undertake best practice when working at height. To view Werner’s new product catalogue, visit www.wernerco.com/uk/literature. To find out more about the products available from WernerCo, visit www.wernerco.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The survey of over 1,000 UK consumers, commissioned by Sirius Property Finance, asked consumers about their shopping habits and how frequently they headed to their local high street. When asked how often they visit, 32% stated that they rarely head to their high street, while a further 10% don’t visit at all. This reluctance to visit their bricks and mortar high street is largely a result of online retail options, with 54% saying they are likely to look to purchase something online before heading to their local retail outlets. And while 21% say that the internet is simply more convenient, other common reasons for avoiding the high street include limited parking availability (24%), a poor variety of shops (22%), and high prices (14%). These factors mean that the most common reason to visit the high street is not general retail, but instead supermarkets and grocery shopping, which 27% say is their main reason for visiting. 19% say they make the trip to take advantage of cafes, bars, and restaurants, while 15% say it’s for health and beauty services such as hairdressers and nail salons. A further 15% say they’re looking to make clothing and fashion purchases, 12% are in the hunt for home and decor outlets, 6% are visiting for entertainment such as cinemas, and 4% are shopping for electronics and technology products. This means that, in total, just 32% are visiting the local high street for retail purposes, while services and experiences account for the remaining 68%. When asked what would tempt them to visit the high street more often, general retail is once again trumped by other priorities. 21% say that more free parking areas would be a significant draw, while 17% say they’d like to see more local and artisan markets and craft stalls. 10% want more green spaces and gardens, and another 10% are looking for more in-store incentives and experiences. Other things that could tempt people to spend more time on their local high street include pop-up shops and temporary exhibitions (9%), outdoor seating and communal areas (9%), regular events like concerts or festivals (9%), pedestrian-only zones (8%), and interactive technology installations (1%). Head of Corporate Partnerships at Sirius Property Finance, Kimberley Gates, commented: “We’ve seen a substantial shift in consumer behaviour in recent times and so the decline of the high street is by no means the fault of property developers, nor is it exclusively their responsibility to try and breathe life back into physical, local retail districts, but they certainly have an important role to play in the rejuvenation. When looking to ensure the future good health of the high street, commercial developers can look towards the things that people say they want – improved infrastructure, attractive outdoor areas and a more diverse range of outlets. When the high street was born, it had no direct competition. But with the arrival of shopping centres and online shopping, the high street must now find a way to offer something that the internet cannot This means experiences, community, socialising, pride in the local area, and an understanding that today’s consumers have plenty of options. They need to be given a reason to frequently visit the high street and our commercial developers can play a big part in achieving this. When they do, the benefits for local communities and economies will be enormous.” Survey results Full survey results can be viewed online, here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research from digital property pack provider, Moverly, has found that the vast majority of UK property professionals believe the provision of upfront information is positive for the property industry, with the biggest reasons being an improved level of transparency for homebuyers, a streamlined conveyancing process and the reduced chance of a fall through. The survey of UK property professionals, commissioned by Moverly, asked if the upfront provision of pertinent information related to a transaction was a positive when it came to the process of buying and selling property – with a huge 90% of those surveyed stating it was. Such information can be provided via Home Information Packs, which collect the essential details and documentation that homebuyers need access to when considering the purchase of property – such information includes EPC certificates, title documents, and Local Authority searches among many other things. HIPs are not a new idea. In fact, they were introduced to parliament by the last Labour government but then the David Cameron-led coalition government abandoned the idea in 2010. When asked why they thought the original introduction of HIPs failed, those surveyed by Moverly stated the reliability of the information provided was the biggest reason, while the upfront cost incurred by sellers also acted as a deterrent. However, last year, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, committed to reintroducing the previously abandoned Home Information Pack as part of the government’s Levelling Up ambitions. But what’s changed? Well today, technology allows us to securely store our personal information while also providing us with the ability to easily share it with stakeholders across various processes, whether it be online shopping, electronic banking and much more. The landscape hasn’t just evolved, it’s a completely new world when compared to the old analogue processes of previous years and this makes it far easier for the consumer. This transformation has already benefited the property sector in many areas and Moverly found that 87% of property professionals think that HIPs could be better placed to succeed in today’s market, due to the further digital disruption of the industry and our ability to share data electronically. When asked what they believe the biggest advantage would be if HIPs were to return, a greater level of transparency for buyers ranked top, followed by a reduced conveyancing timeline, as well as a lower chance of transactions falling through – however, just 37% think their reintroduction should be mandatory. 56% think the cost of HIPs should be incurred by the seller, although some believe it should be the responsibility of the buyer (22%), the agent (14%) and the conveyancer (7%). The majority (59%) also believe that there should be multiple HIPs providers to help drive the standard of service through competition, although they should be regulated by one single authority. Moverly co-founder Ed Molyneux, commented: “We believe that HIPS are absolutely essential if the housing market is to solve the perpetual issues of inefficiency and snail-paced processes. Of course you’d expect us to say that, but it turns out the vast majority of property professionals also recognise the benefits the provision of upfront information can bring. While HIPs may have originally been designed to help buyers, everyone within the transaction timeline benefits from greater transparency, greater stability and a more certain outcome. They can also greatly reduce the risk of sales falling through due to broken chains, saving both buyer and seller money in the process, as well as reducing the chances of gazumping, issues that have been rife in the UK market in recent years. Those who oppose HIPs do so based on the fact that a cost traditionally incurred by the buyer is transferred to the seller. While this may be the case, the cost of HIPs is dramatically lower today and sellers are also far better placed to absorb a marginal additional cost that could save them thousands of pounds in costs incurred should their sale collapse. What’s more, the advancement of technology and how we share information today, means that the ability to provide reliable information has been hugely improved.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carrier hosted an educational webinar to discuss how heat pump technology can play a vital role in decarbonising the commercial heating segment and help companies in different industries move closer to net zero. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. The Journey to Decarbonisation and Net Zero using Heat Pump Technology, is available to watch on-demand for free here. The hour-long webinar provides insight and practical guidance into Carrier’s approach and solutions to decarbonisation and highlighted government incentives available to support the adoption of heat pump technology. Carrier Commercial HVAC UK experts explained how heat pumps operate and how customers can harness the technology to reduce their carbon footprint, become more energy efficient and cut energy costs. Guest speaker David Sullivan, General Manager at E.ON’s Citigen district heating network detailed how E.ON is using heat pumps to power heat networks. This award-winning heat network project in the City of London supplies renewable, low-carbon heating and cooling to buildings across the Square Mile. Three Carrier AquaForce® 61XWHZE high-temperature heat pumps, which operate on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) R-1234ze refrigerant, extract thermal energy from water pumped from deep boreholes in the aquifer 200 metres beneath the capital. Groundwater sourced from the aquifer is used in the heat pump system and recirculated back to source for reuse in E.ON’s application or by others. The heat pumps also harness waste heat from the existing combined heat and power plant that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere. “We were really excited to host this webinar and share our expertise on decarbonisation and heat pumps,” said Paul Smith, Commercial HVAC Director UK&I, Carrier. “We want to help our customers meet their decarbonisation goals and this session provides practical advice about how our high-performance heat pump-based solutions can help them do that. Harnessing the power of heat pumps can have huge benefits for our customers, not just in terms of heating and cooling, but for the environment and their return on investment.” Innovative, efficient heat pump solutions support Carrier’s aim of helping customers reduce their GHG emissions by more than 1 gigaton by 2030 as part of its own 2030 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Goals. The webinar is available to watch on-demand at http://bit.ly/carrier_webinar Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As habitats, wildlife, and plants remain at continued risk of loss across the globe, and the government’s new housing supply yearly target of 300,000¹ homes per year, it’s essential property developers are fully aware of the upcoming Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and what this will mean for future planning and development.. With plans to protect fragile ecosystems and reverse the decline in species by 2030, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will have to demonstrate at least a 10% biodiversity net gain from November 2023. But what does this mean exactly for property developers? UK’s leading environmental consultancy, Thomson Environmental Consultants, summarises five things property developers should be aware of when it comes to Biodiversity Net Gain: Ultimately, BNG will aim to leave the environment in a better state than it was before. Introduced into legislation through the world-leading Environment Act 2021, achieving a 10% net gain will become mandatory for most developments from November 2023. Until now, local planning authorities, utility providers, housing developers, and other organisations have worked with National Planning Policy Framework guidance to seek net gain from new developments. However, from November, BNG will become a legal and mandatory process for most new housing, commercial and infrastructure developments which require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Although some property types may be exempt from the mandatory BNG requirements, ¹ such as self-build homes; in most cases, property developers must demonstrate how they are replacing and improving biodiversity. The phased introduction of BNG, will allow smaller development sites a longer transition period (April 2024), and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which have been given development consent under the Planning Act 2008, will be required to comply with BNG requirements from 2025. Small sites are defined for the BNG exemption as residential and non-residential. Although the UK contains more than 70,000 known species of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, the growing pressure from diseases, invasive species and climate change has resulted in 600 million breeding birds being lost across the EU and UK since 1980, as well as 97% of the UK’s wildflower meadows, and 90% of the UK’s wetland habitats². In order to succeed the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030, BNG requirements are more critical than ever. Moreover, as the UK now only acquires half of the biodiversity that existed before the Industrial Revolution, it’s essential that equal efforts are placed to combat the increased threat to ecosystems while aligning with the government’s annual new home targets. This is where BNG comes into play. Property developers must assess the type of habitat affected and its condition before submitting plans detailing how they will deliver a 10% benefit for nature post development. The “biodiversity metric trading” rules require that any habitat affected within the boundary is replaced on a ‘like for like’ or ‘like for better’ principle. This will be done through the new and streamlined Biodiversity Metric 4.0, which includes a mandatory biodiversity metric calculator tool, user guide, small site metric calculator and more. The metric calculator will essentially provide a biodiversity metric to quantify the value of habitats before and after development. Newly available under the Environment Act 2021, conservation covenants will play an important role in conserving habitat and biodiversity in the long term. Conservation covenants will be an important mechanism for delivering ‘off-site’ BNG where meeting the mandatory 10% improvement on-site isn’t possible. The nature of conservation covenants will require a long-term commitment to the enhancement and maintenance of habitats. Government guidance suggests the BNG credits will be phased out over time as the private market for BNG becomes established. Although a secondary legislation draft is due to be published later in 2023 with further mandatory guidelines, it’s crucial property developers begin considering the requirements sooner rather than later in the planning process. Whether the new BNG requirements will apply to existing planning applications has not yet been confirmed and will be updated by DEFRA and the government accordingly. Regarding costings and project expectations, a government-run statutory credit scheme will be available as a last resort to prevent delays in the planning system. Developers can also pay for improvements on other sites elsewhere by purchasing “units” via a private, off-site market. However, in order to buy credits, property developers must demonstrate that they cannot deliver habitat onsite or via the off-site market. With credits costing between £42,000 and £650,000 +VAT, this will significantly add to overall project costs where off-site enhancements are required. Paul Franklin, Associate Director of Ecology at Thomson Environmental Consultants, commented on the legislation: “It’s important to remember that Biodiversity Net Gain will affect the property development process at all stages and phases. We strongly recommend early engagement with a consultant when undertaking due diligence on a prospective purchase through to consideration of the long-term monitoring and management of created habitats. In many cases, this will be a period of 30 years post-development. “Ensure you speak with consultants who have strong experts in conducting various project habitat surveys and condition assessments to ensure you achieve the desired biodiversity net gain.” To find out more about Biodiversity Net gain, visit: https://www.thomsonec.com/news/five-things-property-developers-need-to-know-in-preparation-for-biodiversity-net-gain-bng/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vivalda, the UK’s largest distributor of non-flammable rainscreen facades, has produced a handy guide for contractors and installers unsure of how the 2022 Building Safety Act could affect them. Providing a three-minute read for the trade, the single page explainer highlights the key changes proposed by the act, which was instrumental in setting up the new Building Safety Regular last year. The guide also defines some of the key terms used in the act such as The Golden Thread, Duty Holders and High-Rise Buildings. Peter Johnson, founder of Vivalda Group, said: “Over the past five years, we have been committed to improving understanding and spreading best practice regarding cladding within the building sector. The Building Safety Act is a central plank of the UK’s new safety regime, but we are concerned that not enough people working on-site are aware of these changes. “We’ve produced this plain language guide so that everyone within the construction trade can benefit from a basic understanding of the principles of the act. This is important as it will drive many new aspects of safety legislation that will affect us all.” To get a free download of the Building Safety Act explainer, please go to: https://www.vivalda.co.uk/brochures/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
FLOODING is an age-old consideration when it comes to urban development, but it has historically been most commonly associated with rivers, the sea or groundwater. However, recent research has shown just how big a threat surface water is, making up the lion’s share of the UK’s flood risk. Dave Bathurst, regional director at Rodgers Leask, says that a wider implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) is the most natural remedy to the issue, and that the latest government review into existing legislation could be the catalyst for increasing their usage in urban planning. As a country with more than its fair share of rainfall, flood risk assessment has traditionally been a key part of the planning process, but the sheer scale of the UK’s surface water problem has only really come to light in the last decade or so. When the summer of 2007 saw England and Wales suffer 414mm of rainfall – more than in any period since records began in 1766 – more than 55,000 properties were damaged by flooding. When these figures were analysed, the findings showed that two-thirds were understood to be flooded by surface runoff overloading drainage systems. This was backed up by the government including it on its national risk register in 2016, and subsequently by the Environment Agency, with its chief executive Sir James Bevan stating that more than three million properties in England are at risk of surface water flooding. While it took a historically wet period for this to be identified as an issue that is as, if not more, threatening than fluvial flooding, dealing with the drainage of surface water is a long-standing problem that needs creative approaches to solve. This is where sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) come in. Prompted by the 2007 floods, the SuDS Manual was first published to provide guidance on planning, design, construction and maintenance of sustainable urban drainage systems. SuDS are generally accepted to be the most efficient way to implement successful surface water drainage, minimising run-off in an environmentally friendly way by mimicking natural water systems such as ponds, wetlands, swales and basins. While engineers often disagree about the approach to a lot of different challenges, almost all would agree that integrating SuDS at the earliest opportunity of a scheme is crucial to its success. CHALLENGING THE APPROACH Despite the obvious benefits of SuDS, it has been a long journey to inform and educate on their virtues, especially as the enforcement of legislation supporting their use – especially in England – hasn’t been especially forthcoming. Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 provides a framework for the widespread adoption of SuDS and gives local authorities the role of sustainable drainage approval body (SAB), with responsibility for checking compliance and approving their use. Despite this, there has been a real reticence in England to push beyond a planning-led approach – where the use of SuDS is recommended but not enforced – to a more legislative one. Previous efforts to implement Schedule 3 met particularly strong resistance from the National Housing Federation. However, this has not been the case in Wales, where the devolved government has taken strong action in commencing the enforcement of Schedule 3. Since 2019, all new developments in Wales of more than one dwelling, or with a construction area of 100 square metres or more, must include sustainable drainage systems for surface water, and these must be designed and built in accordance with statutory standards. The success of this approach – along with the findings of David Jenkins’ report into responsibilities around surface water and drainage – have prompted Westminster to belatedly reconsider its approach to Schedule 3, leading to the decision earlier this year to implement it across England – essentially making it the default for almost all new developments. This process is being led by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in consultation with the Association of SuDS Authorities, with an initial consultation set to take place this year ahead of implementation in 2024. RIGHTING THE WRONGSThere is a feeling across the flood risk assessment community that this decision is a case of “better late than never”, but there is still a long way to go. If you look at a 2012 Defra consultation, the results show that while government policy actively encouraged developers to build SuDS, only an estimated 40% of new developments were drained by them. New plans appear to outline that SABs will check that detailed design of SuDS comply with the principles agreed at the planning stage, and if they are approved for adoption inspections will be carried out by SABs at key stages of construction – such as backfilling of underground attenuation tanks. Developers I have spoken to recently have voiced concerns that where there is ambiguity there is going to be further delays to an already slow approvals process, which favours nobody but at present is merely speculation. Though uncertainty over who is responsible for maintenance and the fees that will be charged for the application process to get SAB approval will also create a sense of unease in the build-up to legislative change. Furthermore, from a local authority perspective, recruitment will be required to help process applications and carry out inspections, but not knowing the application fee makes it difficult to budget. Currently, most local authorities only have the resources to respond to surface water drainage proposals for major planning applications, but Schedule 3 will require them to respond to all proposals above a 100m2 threshold – so there is clarity needed as far as in advance possible to make the transition smoother. Time will tell, but the implementation of Schedule 3 in England could well be the catalyst that pushes SuDS up the list of key masterplanning components. Getting everybody on board with a new statutory standard, which is expected to include a couple of amendments from the current non-statutory standard, begins with education, and developers need to be advised by engineers who
