The commercial property world is changing fast. Whilst sustainability has been a buzz word for number of years now, we are finally seeing concrete measures to try to achieve sustainable development. Two areas in particular are becoming ever more familiar to those granting and those taking leases of commercial buildings – green leases and green [...]
The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is currently at the Committee stage in the House of Lords. It introduces a new UK wide marine planning system to allow the Government to set a clear direction for how it will make the best use of marine resources. It will introduce simpler licensing of marine developments such [...]
Following the introduction of the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 it is now a legal requirement for all construction projects taking place on one site which are worth over £300,000 to prepare and implement a site waste management plan (“SWMP”). The rules do not just catch construction of a new building but also apply [...]
The Planning Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008 and makes a number of important changes to planning law.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
Parts 1-8 of the Planning Act 2008 provide a new streamlined system for obtaining consent for certain specified infrastructure projects which are of such a size that they would be [...]
The Climate Change Act became law on 26 November 2008. The act aims to facilitate moves towards a low-carbon economy for the UK and to provide a new legal framework for the reduction of carbon emissions.
Target reductions
The act sets targets for reducing emissions with the ultimate aim of achieving at least an 80% reduction [...]
Obtaining planning permission for development in the Green Belt is a tricky business. The Green Belt is, with good reason, highly protected by planning policy. In order to get permission to develop you need to be able to show that there are special circumstances to justify it. But what circumstances will be special enough?
The [...]
The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 control the way in which certain types of waste that are considered to be hazardous, for example asbestos, can be disposed of in England. The intention of the legislation is to reduce the pollution caused to the environment by such waste. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“DEFRA”) [...]
