All things green September 2021
Welcome to All things green. Each month, Environment and Sustainability Manager, Corrina Jones will share a round-up of stories and guidance on energy efficiency and sustainable practices.
In this issue:
Property market Landbay has made a series of rate reductions across its special edition buy-to-let range and launched two new green products. The two new green products are both five-year fixed rates at 70% LTV. For properties with an EPC rating of A or B, the rate is 2.89%, and a C rating is 2.94%. Further reading: https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/mortgages/ landbay-cuts-rates-by-up-to-045-and-expandsgreen-mortgage-range.html
•
EPCs
•
Property market
•
New Build homes
New Build homes
•
Climate change
•
Renewable energy
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the Fire Protection Association (FPA) and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) have voiced concerns about the modern method of construction (MMC) hailed by many in the industry as faster, cheaper and more sustainable than traditional methods and a potential solution to the housing crisis.
EPCs The Halifax claims that homes with the highest energy ratings are worth up to £40,000 more on average compared to less sustainable properties. And it says that environmentally conscious buyers are willing to pay a ‘green premium’ for a more energy efficient abode. The difference between the average property price of a home with an EPC rating of E compared to C is £11,000. Further reading: Energy Crisis: Better EPCs boost house values claim... (estateagenttoday.co.uk)
Risk and Governance / Marketing Communications All things green, September 2021
Dr Jim Glocking, technical director at the FPA, told Property Week that each modular unit was surrounded by voids and that there was a danger of fire spreading in these voids, particularly in modules built using combustible materials such as timber. Glocking said that threat could be alleviated by the introduction of “fire stops” but added that you might not be able to tell from looking at a completed modular building if it had problematic voids or not. Further reading: Experts question the safety of modular construction | News | Property Week
Page 1 Part of the LSL Property Services PLC Group
All things green September 2021
Climate change Future developments in Wales will have to take into account future flooding and coastal erosion risk caused by climate change the Welsh Government has confirmed this week. In a UK first, developers will have to work with flood risk and coastal erosion maps that have been made available today that not only show current risk levels, but also the risk posed by climate change.
This study concludes that: •
Space-Based Solar Power is technically feasible, and could support Net Zero pathways
•
It is affordable, with a competitive Levelised Cost of Electricity
•
Development of this technology would bring substantial economic benefits for the UK
Further reading: Climate Change Consideration for Any Future Welsh Developments - Business News Wales
Renewable technologies Who would have known? Space-based solar power is an option! Space based solar power: de-risking the pathway to net zero - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Global energy demand is forecast to double in the next 30 years. At the same time, climate change risks additional pressure on land and resources, with all the geo-political consequences that may flow from this. There is an urgent need to develop new sources of clean energy that are sustainable, affordable, secure and scalable.
Risk and Governance / Marketing Communications All things green, September 2021
Get in touch
If you have any comments or ideas, please email Corrina Jones at corrina.jones@esurv.co.uk
Corrina Jones, MRICS
Page 2 Part of the LSL Property Services PLC Group