News Archive

week ending 2 November 2007

 

 

 

Merton Rule Not Safe

In the previous edition of Micropower News w.e. 26 October 2007, there was a misleading news headline which suggested that the ‘Merton Rule’ is safe. This is not so and vigorous lobbying is still required to make sure that the Government doesn’t water down this important rule in the draft Climate Change Planning Policy Statement.

For more info see the Sustainable Energy Partnership Broadsheet on the Merton Rule.

Green Station

A NEW "green" roof including solar panels and rainwater re-use is planned for Edinburgh's main railway station. The measures would be incorporated in a replacement roof for Waverley as
part of a £100 million revamp of the station by Network Rail. It will be the first station in Britain to have such a roof and that the solar energy could power parts of the station, such as offices.

Scotsman 2nd Nov 2007
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Isle-of-Wight

The Isle of Wight may become the world’s first “eco-island”, powered entirely by green energy, if plans being developed by the island’s council are implemented. Under the proposals, the island would become self-sufficient in low-carbon power, and could even become a net exporter of energy. Measures under consideration include tidal power and a combined heat and power plant that would run on “gasified” waste – the first in the UK.

Building 2nd Nov 2007
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Save the Planet

The Environment Agency’s list of top 20 ways to saved the planet included: 1. Dramatically improve the energy efficiency of electrical goods
2 Religious leaders to make the environment a priority for their followers
3 Encourage the widespread use of solar power throughout the world
4 Secure a meaningful post-Kyoto treaty on reducing the emissions that contribute to global warming
5 Encourage households to generate much more of their own power

Guardian 1st Nov 2007
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Green Learning

Many colleges are looking to introduce environmental courses, for individuals and businesses, that can help them work out the damage they are doing to the environment and ways to ameliorate it.

Independent 1st Nov 2007
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Ealing

Ken Livingstone has withdrawn his opposition to an industrial development after the developers agreed to make the scheme more energy efficient. The scheme has now been given the green light after Chancerygate improved the design and agreed to install five 15KW on-site wind turbines. The changes mean the scheme is expected to meet the Mayor's energy policy providing total carbon dioxide savings of more than 20%.

Edie 1st Nov 2007
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Bristol

Bristol is now purchasing 100 per cent renewable energy for its street lights and is working to make our city a recognised green capital by promoting alternative ways to power heating and lighting in our own buildings. These include new biomass wood-burning boilers, solar panels, proposals for small wind turbines on council buildings and plans for an ambitious wind farm using large turbines at Avonmouth.

Bristol Evening Post 1st November 2007
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Christchurch

Christchurch Borough Council has become the latest local authority to show its commitment to climate change by signing the Nottingham Declaration. Over 250 local councils have now signed up to the declaration, each pledging to actively tackle climate change in their area and help the UK deliver its national climate change targets.

Christchurch Borough Council 1st Nov 2007
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All you need is Lovins

A PDF (1.7 MB) made from the PowerPoint presentation used by Amory B. Lovins in his Volvo Eniviromental Prize lecture, 1 Nov. 2007 in Stockholm is available at:
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Solar Learning

SHEFFIELD pupils have been learning about the power of the sun by designing and building solar-powered cars. Solar-Active, formerly the Schools and Homes Energy Education Project, helps young people learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Sheffield Star 31st Oct 2007
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Westminster

Westminster council has appointed a “green” energy manager to help it become one of the most environmentally friendly councils in the country.

24Dash 31st Oct 2007
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Medway

The picturesque St Mary’s Island overlooking the Medway near Chatham in Kent, is a 150 acre residential redevelopment that is pushing the boundaries of regeneration by creating a truly sustainable community.. It was the first housing development in the South East (outside of London) to receive an environmental EcoHomes rating of 'Very Good' by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) for a large (i.e. over 50 home) housing development.

Easier Property 31st Oct 2007
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Newquay

The Duchy of Cornwall has submitted plans for up to 500 homes over two sites in the town, which will sit alongside business space for around 400 jobs. Both developments will aim to minimise carbon emissions by generating renewable energy on site through local biomass energy centres and maximising the energy efficiency of buildings.

This is Cornwall 31st Oct 2007
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Nottingham

A £50m luxury apartment complex on the banks of the Trent will include 146 flats and is part of a major riverside development plan. The project has been praised for its focus on renewable energy, including, sound and thermal insulation, energy-efficient lighting and appliances.

Nottingham Evening Post 31st Oct 2007
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Un-permitted development

I get emails from all over the UK from people who want to install solar panels but their local councils have refused them planning permission. Some National Park authorities, who you would think would understand the crisis, are even more ruthless in turning down applications, with up to 50 per cent of applications being refused.

Independent 31st Oct 2007
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A MAN told to take down a solar panel by West Dorset District Council after 15 years because it does not have planning permission is being supported in his fight to keep it by Bridport Town Councillors.

Bridport News 30th Oct 2007
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Halton

A variety of events have been announced to celebrate the opening of a thoroughly 'green' visitors centre in Halton this weekend - The Wigg Island centre features innovative audio/visual displays and a wind turbine.

Halton Borough Council 30th Oct 2007
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Merton Flexibility?

A chance to include more efficient and cost-effective off-site sources of energy when assessing new developments for planning permission has been welcomed by the British Property Federation. The Federation has applauded moves by planning minister Yvette Cooper to revise the Merton rule, which requires new buildings to provide a set percentage (10% rising to 20%) of their energy solely through onsite renewables.

NCF 30th Oct 2007
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Freemans News 30th Oct 2007
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New Builder 30th Oct 2007
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Solar Wales?

A Welsh solar panel provider is doing most of its work in England because of lack of demand in its home country, it has emerged. PV Systems, of Taff’s Well, near Cardiff, can supply panels for any type of building. But 99% of the orders it gets from businesses come from over the border.

New Builder 30th Oct 2007
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Windy Computer

A SECONDARY school in the Fens has unveiled an energy saving computer -- and a wind turbine large enough to power it. It is one of 100 secondary schools and colleges across the country to use the system. The school plans to use the equipment to teach the importance of energy conservation, both within the school and in the wider community.

Wisbech Standard 30th Oct 2007
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Lynn News 30th Oct 2007
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Green Day

Glasgow’s George Square will host National Green Day on Saturday 3rd Nov - a consumer fair that is showcasing environmental products. The idea behind it is to raise awareness about what everyone can do to become greener. The fair will be opened by the Scottish Environment Minister, Mike Russell MSP.

All Media Scotland 30th Oct 2007
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Edinburgh

The design for the new Haymarket development in Edinburgh has incorporated sustainability including secure cycle storage, on-site renewable energy and low carbon design. Green principles and environmentally friendly buildings are a key feature of the project.

Edinburgh Evening News 30th Oct 2007
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Local Authority Targets

Letter from Devon Sustainable Building Initiative: Local authority targets for a percentage of renewable energy on new buildings do encourage energy-efficient buildings because it’s cheaper for a developer to improve a building’s efficiency before adding renewables, as the smaller the building’s energy demand, the smaller the capacity of the renewable energy system needed to meet the target.

Times 30th Oct 2007
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Renewable Village

Proposals for Eastgate Renewable Energy Village will utilise all five forms of land-based renewable energy available in the UK - wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal – a unique concept in this country. Amendments to the master plan for the site now include a larger biomass plant than previously envisaged, and this is expected to generate levels of electricity equivalent to that needed to power every property in the dale.

One North East 29th Oct 2007
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Darlington & Stockton Times 29th Oct 2007
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School Blow

An application for a 25 metre-high wind turbine at Plymstock's Coombe Dean School has been withdrawn - but school bosses say it's not the end of the ambitious project.The school applied for planning permission from Plymouth City Council in July but had to withdraw its application this week due to the lack of "noise information" provided.

Plymouth Herald 29th Oct 2007
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Wind & Water

A Wind turbine has been installed at Yorkshire Water's Saltend treatment plant. The 85m (278ft) turbine will, on average, provide more than a third of the facility's energy needs.

East Riding Mail 29th Oct 2007
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Yorkshire Post 30th Oct 2007
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Salisbury

Salisbury is just about to start a feasibility study into the potential to build south Wiltshire’s first eco homes social housing development. These homes would incorporate renewable energy systems, high standards of water efficiency and natural heating. Such a development would be a radical approach to affordable housing and demonstrate that it is possible to provide high quality, zero-carbon sustainable homes for local people.

e-gov Monitor 29th Oct 2007
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Eco-homes

European and UK legislation on planning regulations and building standards have already resulted in a 14 per cent increase in build costs, a figure which could rise to more than 60 per cent, if so-called, BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standards of excellence are met. The revelation by Miller Developments, a division of Miller, the UK's largest privately owned property development and construction company, will put pressure on the Government to reassess policies such as the Merton Rule which stipulates that new developments must generate between 10 and 20 per cent of their energy needs through onsite renewable power.

Telegraph 27th Oct 2007
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Norwich

Norwich South MP Charles Clarke was given a glimpse of the future as he took a tour of one of the country's first carbon-zero housing developments. The former home secretary had high praise for the new 22-home Ecostessey Park scheme under construction near the River Tud, off Norwich Road. Powered by solar panels providing electricity and hot water, the homes have been built to a high environmental standard with energy-conserving windows and doors and wall insulation.

Norwich Evening News 27th Oct 2007
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Durham

A wind turbine sits in the school field, solar panels are on the roof, the school is heated with recycled wood pellets, and a team of pupils has become the fiercest of sustainability watchdogs, checking the school’s energy efficiency and welcoming Cassop’s many visitors from home and abroad.

TES 26th Oct 2007
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The Advertiser 26th Oct 2007
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Penrith

A mixed-use town centre redevelopment, including a supermarket, offices, retails units and housing in Penrith, Cumbria has a major commitment to provide renewable energy to the 172 residential units in the scheme.

Newcastle Evening Gazette 26th Oct 2007
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Green Machine

Pupils at Inverness High School were given some environmental lessons with a difference yesterday as a green truck rolled into the Highland capital. Youngsters could learn about renewable energy, recycling, and what they cando to limit their own impact on the environment and climate change thanks to SNH's touring exhibition trailer, known as the Green Machine.

Aberdeen Press and Journal 26th Oct 2007
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Guildford

Schools across Guildford Borough are set to benefit from energy savings thanks to a scheme run by the council and part funded by Allianz Insurance. The Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities has been working for the council to offer energy services to schools. The centre will give advice on installing renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal, and how to reduce energy use.

Guildford Borough Council 24th Oct 2007
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Alan Simpson MP

By the time Britain starts to build our first eco-town, Germany will have between 40 and 60 eco-cities. One look around Munich and you can see how this will be done. First, there is an incredible array of sustainable energy systems that they draw on – a geo-thermal plant (taking heat from deep in the ground), wind turbines, 25 water turbines (driven by the river Isar as it flows through the city), a CHP (combined heat and power) district heating system… and, of course, solar power.

Morning Star 14th Oct 2007
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