planning

If the government wants growth, it needs to embed environmental protections in planning

Policy

If the government wants growth, it needs to embed environmental protections in planning

There is a major opportunity to harness reform to the planning system to drive sustainable development, writes UKGBC’s Simon McWhirter

clock 06 October 2022 • 4 min read
'Overwhelming majority': New polling reveals huge backing for wind and solar

Wind

'Overwhelming majority': New polling reveals huge backing for wind and solar

Survation poll of over 6,000 people reveals over three quarters support new renewables projects in their local area

clock 07 September 2022 • 6 min read
Reports: Government mulls wind farm incentive scheme, as nuclear plans advance

Wind

Reports: Government mulls wind farm incentive scheme, as nuclear plans advance

Business Secretary considers proposals that could see households offered £350 off their energy bills if they back new onshore wind farms in their area

clock 04 July 2022 • 3 min read
Planning reform is here, but where's net zero?

Legislation

Planning reform is here, but where's net zero?

In its current form, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill misses a major opportunity to align the national planning system with climate goals, writes the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)’s Philip Box

clock 30 May 2022 • 4 min read
'Remove barriers': Opportunities and risks for green economy, as government preps Queen's Speech reboot

Policy

'Remove barriers': Opportunities and risks for green economy, as government preps Queen's Speech reboot

Queen's Speech expected to include new Energy Bill and latest wave of planning reforms, as Boris Johnson faces mounting pressure to tackle cost of living crisis

clock 09 May 2022 • 8 min read
Octopus Energy launches onshore wind 'dating agency' to match landowners and communities

Energy

Octopus Energy launches onshore wind 'dating agency' to match landowners and communities

'Plots for kilowatts' campaign aims to identify 10 new potential sites for onshore wind turbines in England by end of summer 2022

clock 22 April 2022 • 4 min read
Flood and coastal erosion risk embedded into Wales' planning policy in UK first

Policy

Flood and coastal erosion risk embedded into Wales' planning policy in UK first

Planning policy amendments designed to drive development away from areas at risk of flooding and coastal erosion, according to Welsh Government

clock 28 September 2021 • 3 min read

Biodiversity

Biodiversity 3.0: Natural England unveils new metric to help deliver biodiversity net gain

New tools aim to make it easier for developers to deliver overall improvements in biodiversity to compensate for their direct impacts on nature

clock 07 July 2021 • 4 min read

Wind

Judge overturns approval for 1.8GW Norfolk Vanguard project

Judge upholds local resident's appeal against wind farm cabling and substation infrastructure forcing government to formally reconsider plans

clock 19 February 2021 • 2 min read

BusinessGreen

Government urged to create 'wild belt' nature recovery areas as part of planning reforms

Charity the Wildlife Trusts warns government's current planning reform proposals risk undermining efforts to protect nature and biodiversity

clock 17 September 2020 • 3 min read