Latest news with #EnergyPerformanceCertificate
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport: Stunning barn conversion in Nash up for sale
The four-bedroom property, located on Broad Street Common, offers a peaceful countryside setting and is on the market with Smooth Moves Property Agents Ltd for offers in the region of £900,000. (Image: Smooth Moves Property Agents Ltd via Zoopla) The barn conversion is located on the picturesque Caldicot Levels, close to the Wetlands Nature Reserve. The property offers a tranquil setting with beautiful views. The City of Newport campus of Coleg Gwent, known as 'Nash College', is nearby, providing convenient educational opportunities. The property is also within easy reach of Spytty Retail Park and Leeway Industrial Estate. The interior of the barn conversion has been tastefully renovated, blending original features with modern conveniences. (Image: Smooth Moves Property Agents Ltd via Zoopla) The spacious lounge features a fireplace with a multi-fuel burner, and the dining room overlooks the extensive garden. The large fitted kitchen, equipped with built-in appliances including a Classic 110 gas range, opens into a breakfast room, perfect for enjoying the views. (Image: Smooth Moves Property Agents Ltd via Zoopla) The property offers four generous double bedrooms, including an ensuite in the main bedroom, a family bathroom with a clawfoot bath, and a separate shower room. The wooden staircase leads to the upper level where high beamed ceilings and a unique landing can be found. Outside, the property boasts ample parking on a gravelled driveway with a charming fountain. The gardens, which wrap around the property, are meticulously maintained, offering a serene retreat just beyond the doorstep. (Image: Smooth Moves Property Agents Ltd via Zoopla) The property also comes with planning consent to convert two adjoining barns, including an extension. This property offers a unique blend of character and modern luxury, making it an ideal family home. The property has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of E and falls under Council Tax Band G. All services are connected at the property, and it has a cesspit. LPG gas is used at the property. The property is freehold, and viewings are strictly by appointment with the agents. Interested parties are encouraged to explore this stunning barn conversion in person.
News24
14-07-2025
- Business
- News24
Young energy experts help power South Africa's green future
Mahlatsi Moleya Seventy-five students, over 60% of them women, have graduated as certified Energy Performance Certificate Practitioners in Mpumalanga. The training is part of South Africa's Just Energy Transition, supported by the UNDP, DHET, EWSETA, and GIZ. With youth unemployment at 45.5% (Stats SA), this programme offers practical skills and a real chance to work in the green economy. Seventy-five students in Mpumalanga have completed the Energy Performance Certificate Practitioners Programme, equipping them with skills to improve energy efficiency in buildings. More than 60% of the graduates are women, challenging outdated ideas about who belongs in technical fields. For 26-year-old Thandeka Mahlangu, this achievement 'was a turning point'. She said: Before this, I had no clear path. Now I can contribute to something bigger, making our buildings smarter and our communities stronger. Mahlatsi Moleya The programme forms part of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Just Energy Transition efforts, supported by the department of higher education and training, the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority, as well as Germany's main agency for international development cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit. The programme, which is six months long, has ensured that graduates are now qualified to audit and improve building energy use – a crucial skill as buildings account for nearly 30% of the country's electricity consumption, according to the department of mineral resources and energy. 'This is not just a course; it is a pathway,' said UNDP's Phumla Hlathi. Young people are not only part of the solution, but they are also leading it. Phumla Hlathi With youth unemployment at 45.5%, according to Stats SA, this initiative offers young people a real chance to participate in the green economy and reshape South Africa's energy future. Show Comments ()
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Tiny Abersoch 'shack' with no gas or water on market for six figure sum
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A small roadside building at a gateway site in Abersoch is back on the market. The Shack, rebuilt in the 1990s, is being offered for £275,000. In 2023 it was twice set to go for auction at Abersoch Golf Club with a guide price of £175,000. Agents LWH Land and Property have billed the Shack as 'one of the most prominent properties' in the popular Gwynedd sideside village. Overlooking the inner harbour, the cavity block building operates as a roadside shop. Opportunities for alternative use are limited as the property lacks water, gas and sewerage needed for residential purposes. The only service provided is electricity. However the agents note that it is a prime commercial site off the A499 within walking distance of the village. They said: 'The location benefits from excellent passing trade and footfall in a renowned tourist destination providing an excellent retail opportunity for any new or established business looking to relocate or expand.' The property is a familiar and welcoming sight for people arriving in Abersoch. Periodically repainted, its location next to Afon Soch means it looks out over small fishing boats clustered in the inner harbour. Online, eyebrows have been raised at the asking price, which is more than the average value of a house in Wales (currently £237,000). But it's also par for the course for an in-demand resort where property and land is at a premium. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community (Image: Google) It's also only a little more that some of the notoriously expensive beach huts on Abersoch's Main Beach. In 2023, a double-fronted hut went on the market with a starting price of £250,000. Inside, the Shack has a retail space with a flat roof extension used as a changing room. At the back, a lean-to structure is used for storage, as is an adjacent side yard area. Floor space runs to 294 sq ft (27 sq m), which is below the size needed for an Energy Performance Certificate. Sale history data suggests the Shack has only ever had one owner since being rebuilt. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Property details can be found here. For more information, contact LWH Land and Property at its Pwllheli office on 01758 719682. Find properties for sale or let near you
North Wales Live
08-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Tiny Abersoch 'shack' with no gas or water on market for six figure sum
A small roadside building at a gateway site in Abersoch is back on the market. The Shack, rebuilt in the 1990s, is being offered for £275,000. In 2023 it was twice set to go for auction at Abersoch Golf Club with a guide price of £175,000. Agents LWH Land and Property have billed the Shack as 'one of the most prominent properties' in the popular Gwynedd sideside village. Overlooking the inner harbour, the cavity block building operates as a roadside shop. Opportunities for alternative use are limited as the property lacks water, gas and sewerage needed for residential purposes. The only service provided is electricity. However the agents note that it is a prime commercial site off the A499 within walking distance of the village. They said: 'The location benefits from excellent passing trade and footfall in a renowned tourist destination providing an excellent retail opportunity for any new or established business looking to relocate or expand.' The property is a familiar and welcoming sight for people arriving in Abersoch. Periodically repainted, its location next to Afon Soch means it looks out over small fishing boats clustered in the inner harbour. Online, eyebrows have been raised at the asking price, which is more than the average value of a house in Wales (currently £237,000). But it's also par for the course for an in-demand resort where property and land is at a premium. It's also only a little more that some of the notoriously expensive beach huts on Abersoch's Main Beach. In 2023, a double-fronted hut went on the market with a starting price of £250,000. Inside, the Shack has a retail space with a flat roof extension used as a changing room. At the back, a lean-to structure is used for storage, as is an adjacent side yard area. Floor space runs to 294 sq ft (27 sq m), which is below the size needed for an Energy Performance Certificate. Sale history data suggests the Shack has only ever had one owner since being rebuilt. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Property details can be found here. For more information, contact LWH Land and Property at its Pwllheli office on 01758 719682.
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Council might have to spend £65,000 on every single one of its homes
Council might have to spend £65,000 on every single one of its homes It's an estimate at this stage but upgrading the housing stock won't be cheap Council flats at Swansea's Griffith John Street, where significant investment is planned (Image: Wales Online ) Swansea Council may have to spend an average of £65,000 on every one one of its houses, flats and bungalows to meet a new housing standard, a meeting heard. Cllr Andrea Lewis, deputy leader of the authority, said that without additional Welsh Government money it will be "difficult if not impossible" to achieve. Swansea is one of several councils which have retained their housing stock, and it has previously spent more than £500 million years to comply with a Wales-wide quality standard for social housing. This resulted in things like new kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and insulation upgrades for its homes, improving life for tenants. A new housing quality standard has been developed by the Welsh Government, which includes high energy efficiency ratings coupled with minimal environmental impacts. The idea is to decarbonise social housing - reducing Wales' greenhouse gas emissions - by further upgrading insulation, adding solar panels and replacing gas boilers with heat pumps, for example. The Welsh Government said social housing would be comfortable, affordable to heat and safe as a result. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here A report before the council's cabinet said every property will need a report capturing their existing energy efficiency rating, called a targeted energy pathway. These targeted energy pathways will help shape which upgrades are needed. Cllr Lewis said achieving the new standard was now estimated to cost the authority £900 million. Given that there are just over 13,800 council flats, houses and bungalows, this works out roughly as £65,000 per property, although some will need more work than others. Article continues below Energy efficient council bungalows in West Cross (Image: Richard Youle ) Four years ago, a council report estimated that decarbonising the housing stock could cost around £350 million - a year later another council report put it at £750 million. "Essentially we support the Welsh Government's ambition to improve the quality of our (housing) stock in terms of energy efficiency for the benefit of our tenants, but without additional further funding this will be difficult if not impossible to carry out," said Cllr Lewis. Cabinet went on to approve a policy setting out how it intended to meet and monitor the new housing standard, which it will submit to the Welsh Government, at the June 26 meeting. The council will need to produce the targeted energy pathways for properties by the end of March 2027, and ensure all homes meet a certain energy efficiency standard - the equivalent of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C rating - three years later. EPC ratings go from A, the highest, to G, the lowest. Full compliance with the housing standard is 2034, and by then the council's stock needs to meet a higher environmental target - the equivalent of an EPC A rating. Councils use tenants' rents, borrowed money and Welsh Government grants to upgrade their housing, not council tax. Council leader Rob Stewart said it aimed to meet the new standard but that he didn't think any local authority would be able to do so without external help. Cardiff Council has estimated it would cost £866 million to achieve it. There is also the question of finding enough skilled contractors to carry out the work. The Welsh Government said Swansea Council was allocated £14 million last year to help repair, upgrade and retrofit its properties, and that its grants alone were never intended to fund full compliance with the standard. It said it has offered to support the social housing sector investigate market solutions. Article continues below It added: "Last year, we committed a record £256 million on improving the quality of social homes in Wales, including their energy efficiency, through a mixture of grants and low interest loans available to local authorities and social landlords."
