ICE Sustainability Archives

We are excited that this barn conversion will be starting on site soon.

Barn Conversion

We are excited that this barn conversion will be starting on site soon. Converting a barn under permitted development rights can have many benefits:

1. Cost-effective: Converting an existing barn can be more cost-effective than building a new structure from scratch, as the basic framework is already in place.

2. Preservation of heritage: Although this barn did not have any architectural significance others we have worked on have. Converting a barn that has historical or architectural heritage into residential properties can help preserve this heritage while giving the building a new lease on life.

3. Rural development: There are often limited options for new construction in the countryside, especially in the Greenbelt. Converting barns into dwellings can contribute to rural development by providing much-needed housing.

4. Sustainability: Converting an existing structure can be more environmentally sustainable. There is a reduced need for new materials and construction, making it a more sustainable option compared to building new homes.

5. Character and charm: On one of our previous projects, the client was able to keep the unique architectural features, exposed beams etc. This added to the character and charm to the resulting residential property.

6. Quicker approval process: Permitted development rights, such as Class Q, streamline the planning process for converting agricultural buildings into dwellings, potentially saving time compared to applying for full planning permission.

Going Green – Biodiversity Net Gain is the law

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a requirement for major development projects and also become mandatory for minor sites on 2^nd April 2024.

But what does BNG mean?

Plant and animal life in the site and surroundings of the project must be at least 10% greater at the end of the project than they were before it started.

So, what do we have to do?

Step 1. Baseline: Assess the existing diversity of the site. BNG relates to grassland, hedgerows, lakes, woodland, watercourses (such as streams and rivers). Your assessment should consider size, type, condition and strategic significance. There’s an official metric for calculating the biodiversity value.

Step 2. Proposal: Devise a development that minimises harm to existing biodiversity. This determines how much enhancement is needed.

Step 3. Enhancement: Incorporate features like wildlife-friendly landscaping, habitat restoration – maybe a ‘green’ roof. Your plan should consider conditions that might impact on your BNG plans: climate; geology and topography; agricultural land status; soils and substrates; contaminated land; hydrology and drainage; flood risk zones; landscape character and designations; biosecurity; invasive plant species.

Step 4. Monitor and maintain: Make sure the outcomes are achieved and maintained over time (30 years).

If you find that you can exceed 10% BNG then you can sell the surplus to developers who are struggling to meet their target.

If there aren’t sufficient feasible biodiversity gains on site, the developer may seek gains that are off site, and, as a last resort, buy BNG credits.

There are some exemptions from BNG, including:

A householder application for a small project such as a home extension, conservatory or loft conversion
A development below the threshold (i.e. it does not impact on ‘priority habitat’ and it impacts on less than 25m² of on-site habitat and less than 5m of linear habitat such as a hedgerow)
A development consisting of no more than 9 dwellings on a site that has an area no larger than 0.5 hectares and consists exclusively of dwellings that are self-build or custom house-building.

Your project might not immediately be affected by BNG, however, implementing biodiversity net gain in your residential project can contribute positively to local ecosystems and biodiversity while potentially enhancing the quality of life for residents by creating more natural and green spaces.

Alison of ICE Arch Limited will be happy to discuss this with you: email alison@ice-arch.co.uk

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-biodiversity-net-gain

Are you ready for the changes?

New building regulations come into effect from 15^th June 2022. They are set-out in new and changed ‘Approved Documents’.

How will they affect new homes?

Limit the amount of glazing in new residential buildings. Approved Document O is a new Building Regulation set up to mitigate the risk of overheating.
Measure energy efficiency. New homes will need to adopt the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standards as defined in Part L (Fuel and Power)
Heating systems. There will be a maximum flow temperature requirement of 55°C for new and replacement heating systems
Heat pumps. Good practice is provided for a home built with a heat pump

What about existing homes?

Minimum standards of fabric efficiency, plus a new efficiency metric for the whole house when adding an extension defined in Part F (Ventilation)
Low-carbon readiness. New and replacement heating system designs must accept low-carbon energy sources in the future, and integrate the latest eco-design appliance benchmarks

Got an electric car?

Technical guidance in relation to the installation of electric car charge points for our homes. (Part S)

What do I do now?

If you have submitted a full planning application, or an initial notice, before 15^th June 2022 or your development is subject to a Building Notice, then provided the work is started on site before 15^th June 2023 then the building is assessed under the previous versions of the regulations.

Otherwise, the new regulations apply to you. Ask Alison for advice.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/approved-documents
[23 Apr 2022]

Includes what are known as the 2021 editions of:

Approved Document F Volume 1. Ventilation: Dwellings
Approved Document F Volume 2: Ventilation: Buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document L Volume 1. Conservation of fuel and power: Dwellings
Approved Document L Volume 2. Conservation of fuel and power: Buildings other than dwellings
Approved Document O. Overheating
Approved Document S. Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles

Online tool to judge sustainability of proposal

A ‘scorecard’ enabling planners to assess the sustainability of proposed developments has been launched by the Sustainable Development Commission and Iceni Projects.

The Sustainable Development Scorecard is a free online resource that judges a proposal by how well it meets the National Planning Policy Framework’s (NPPF) definition of sustainable development.

Its aim is to guide planners and developers towards creating schemes that both score highly in terms of the three pillars of sustainability – social, environmental and economic – and balance these pillars against each other.

The easy-to-use tool has been devised by a panel of industry professionals chaired by former planning minister Nick Raynsford. It is aimed at anyone with a vested interest in development, including community groups and neighbourhood planners.

The commission is made up of a cross-section of industry professionals including:

Edward Dixon, sustainability special projects manager at Landsec
Sue Smith, former chief executive at Cherwell District Council
Ian MacLeod, assistant director, planning and regeneration at Birmingham City Council
Roy Foster, former planning inspector
Janet Askew, RTPI past-president
Stephen Ashworth, partner at Dentons

“Although the NPPF has a presumption in favour of sustainable development at its heart, assessing the degree to which a project complies with this is highly subjective,” Dan Jestico, director for Sustainable Development at Iceni Projects, said. “Thanks to the Sustainable Development Scorecard, everyone from architects to developers to local residents will be able to easily assess how sustainable a proposal really is.”

He added: “The Sustainable Development Scorecard means that for the first time, it will be possible to see to what extent a scheme really has a ‘golden thread of sustainability running through it’.”

The scorecard can be found here

Hydroelectric Scheme in Conwy Valley

Last week, fresh plans were lodged for a controversial £12m hydroelectric scheme on the River Conwy.

RWE Innogy UK wants to build the power station on the Conwy Falls, south of Betws-y-Coed one of the most scenic stretches of the river. The Snowdonia National Park Authority rejected the initial plans.

The scheme would have a capacity of up to 5 megawatts (MW) – enough to supply the average annual domestic requirements of over 3,200 households and help save up to 6,450 tonnes of carbon by reducing emissions from fossil fuel burning plant.

Energy from the scheme would be fed directly into the local electrical substation at Betws-y-Coed thereby meeting the average electricity needs of the town and surrounding area. This would contribute to the ‘greening’ credentials of this important tourism town.

Read more about the project at:
http://www.rwe.com/web/cms/mediablob/en/3044796/data/2256320/2/rwe-innogy/sites/hydroelectric-power-station/united-kingdom/sites-in-development/conwy-falls/E05314-DOC-Conwy-Falls-HES-Non-Technical-Summary-May-2016-V1-MP.pdf

Energy Efficiency, Off-Site Build, and Bi-Fold Doors

I enjoy visiting the Grand Design Show at the NEC. It’s good for talking to suppliers about niche products and innovative technologies. It’s also an opportunity to do a ‘hands on’ study of the competing suppliers’ versions of various products.

Off-Site Build Houses

‘Off Site Build’ is a more appropriate title than ‘Factory Build’ or ‘Pre-Fabricated’ which conjure-up images of production lines, uniformity and indifferent design.

The reality is that companies like Schworer Haus work with the Client’s Architect to create an individual design that’s consistent with local planning policies and passes smoothly through the approval process. Building off-site results in earlier and predictable completion dates .

https://www.schwoererhaus.de/de/

Bi-fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are very popular with my clients. Bi-Fold doors create a sense of ‘one-ness’ between house and garden, and generate a bright and spacious atmosphere.

Grand Designs allowed me to directly compare many manufacturers’ products. I don’t always use the same manufacturer on my projects – no one can meet all the different requirements and different contexts.

However, Ultraline’s system has some nice features. The frames are very slim so, even with the doors closed, your sight-lines are hardly disturbed. Designer Range has some beautiful products. In the right setting, Panoramah’s long, sliding, sash windows would be exquisite.

http://www.ultraline.co.uk/

http://www.designerrange.co.uk/windows/

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

For all our new build houses, ICE Arch designs-in energy efficient and sustainable products.

Again, we don’t restrict ourselves to one company, but I was impressed when chatting with representatives of Airflow, Nu-Heat, Solar Tech Ltd, SPS Envirowall and GB-Sol.

https://www.airflow.com/

http://www.nu-heat.co.uk/

http://www.solartech.org.uk/

http://spsenvirowall.co.uk/

http://www.gb-sol.co.uk/

Build-in energy efficiency

As a home owner, some of your biggest expenses on an on-going basis are energy costs such as electricity, gas, oil, water heating, space heating and water charges.

They’re never ending – they arrive like clockwork and you’ve no choice but to pay them… or do you?

Architect ICE Arch Limited believes you do have a choice.

An integral part of ICE Arch’s design process is making sure your new build or re-modelled home is energy efficient by means of the various green and eco friendly technologies that are currently available.

ICE Sustainability