Latest news with #TomClarke
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Planning change to make installing heat pump easier for millions
A key planning restriction that heat pumps need to be one meter from a neighbour's property has been lifted as the government seeks to accelerate the take up of the low-carbon technology. The change, which is part of the government's Warm Homes Plan to lower household bills and cut planet warming emissions, means it could be easier for millions of homes in England to have a heat pump installed. But consumer groups warn that the changes will not help those in rented or leasehold properties and the biggest barrier to installing a heat pump remains the high upfront costs. This is a particular problem for older housing stock where upgrades to pipework and insulation may also be required. What is a heat pump and how much do they cost? Half of homes need heat pump by 2040, government told UK homes install subsidised heat pumps at record level Most UK homes use gas boilers for their hot water and heating, but this produces up to 14% of the country's planet warming greenhouse gases. In comparison, heat pumps use electricity, so as the country moves to generating more electricity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind, they could produce far fewer emissions than boilers. But switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump is expensive and not straightforward if you live in one of England's six million terraced homes. Until Thursday, homeowners needed planning permission if they wanted to put a heat pump within one meter of their neighbour's property - because of concerns over noise. Tom Clarke, a gas engineer who recently retrained to fit heat pumps, said having to apply for planning permission had been a barrier for his customers. "When you look across London we have loads and loads of terraced houses and no matter where you site the appliance it is always going to be within one metre of the boundary," he said. It was particularly problematic for people replacing a broken gas boiler because many customers would not want to go more than a month without heating waiting for council approval, he said. This is echoed by Octopus Energy, who told parliament's Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Committee in 2023 that this planning rule was affecting 27% of its customers. "Those who try to proceed end up waiting an additional eight to 10 weeks on average. Even if customers meet all the requirements, there is no guarantee that local councils will grant the permission, as they all have different interpretations of central planning guidelines," the company wrote in its submission. "The combined impact of all these things mean that very few of the 27% of customers who require planning have made it to install." The rule has now been dropped to accelerate the uptake of heat pumps. Previous concerns over noise are less of an issue with newer devices, though units will still be required to be below a certain volume level. The planning changes also include a relaxation of the rules for the size and number of heat pumps households can install. Households most likely to be affected are those living in terraced housing. In 2021, they accounted for 5.7 million households, or 23% of the total. Some of these will still need planning permission, for example those living in conservation areas and those installing ground source heat pumps. The change is part of the government's Warm Homes Plan which aims to give 300,000 households upgrades to improve their energy efficiency and lower bills. Although the heat pump industry welcomed the changes, many point out the main barrier for many customers is that installing heat pumps is expensive, particularly in older houses, where better insulation may also be needed. This was the case at social housing estate Sutton Dwellings in Chelsea, London, which underwent a full refurbishment of its fabric alongside a new heating network. Its landlord, Clarion Housing Group, did receive a grant from the government to install the new network but also invested its own money. Stuart Gadsden, commercial director at Kensa, the company which designed and installed the system, said this was an issue for many landlords: "A big [barrier] is funding, this obviously does cost more to install than a traditional gas boiler system. "In the social housing sector we have funding from the warm homes social housing fund, but it was oversubscribed by double. Lots of housing associations want to put low carbon heating in but there is not enough to go around." Renters have to rely on landlords being willing to make the initial upfront investment. Rob Lane, Chief Property Officer at Clarion, said the company was happy to do this at Sutton Dwellings because of the impact for residents: "We're waiting to see how the costs of running this system bear out, but our forecasts suggests that each home is going to cost on average £450 - £500 per home (each year) - considerable savings for residents." From 2030, as part of the Warm Homes plan, there will be mandatory requirements for all private landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties. But the way that Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are currently calculated means a gas boiler can sometimes have a better rating than a heat pump because it looks at energy costs and assumes gas is cheaper. Katy King, deputy director of sustainability at charity Nesta, said the government could bring down electricity costs. "The UK has some of the most expensive electricity prices in Europe. The government could take levies off electricity and put them onto gas or use general taxation. It is a tricky choice and one we do expect them to be consulting on within the year," she said. Boiler Upgrade Scheme Environmental rules reviewed for small housebuilders UK sea temperatures soar after exceptionally warm spring
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Planning change makes heat pump installations easier for homes
A key planning restriction that heat pumps need to be one meter from a neighbour's property has been lifted as the government seeks to accelerate the take up of the low-carbon change, which is part of the government's Warm Homes Plan to lower household bills and cut planet warming emissions, means it could be easier for millions of homes in England to have a heat pump consumer groups warn that the changes will not help those in rented or leasehold properties and the biggest barrier to installing a heat pump remains the high upfront is a particular problem for older housing stock where upgrades to pipework and insulation may also be required. Most UK homes use gas boilers for their hot water and heating, but this produces up to 14% of the country's planet warming greenhouse gases. In comparison, heat pumps use electricity, so as the country moves to generating more electricity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind, they could produce far fewer emissions than switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump is expensive and not straightforward if you live in one of England's six million terraced homes. Until Thursday, homeowners needed planning permission if they wanted to put a heat pump within one meter of their neighbour's property - because of concerns over Clarke, a gas engineer who recently retrained to fit heat pumps, said having to apply for planning permission had been a barrier for his customers."When you look across London we have loads and loads of terraced houses and no matter where you site the appliance it is always going to be within one metre of the boundary," he was particularly problematic for people replacing a broken gas boiler because many customers would not want to go more than a month without heating waiting for council approval, he is echoed by Octopus Energy, who told parliament's Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Committee in 2023 that this planning rule was affecting 27% of its customers."Those who try to proceed end up waiting an additional eight to 10 weeks on average. Even if customers meet all the requirements, there is no guarantee that local councils will grant the permission, as they all have different interpretations of central planning guidelines," the company wrote in its submission. "The combined impact of all these things mean that very few of the 27% of customers who require planning have made it to install."The rule has now been dropped to accelerate the uptake of heat pumps. Previous concerns over noise are less of an issue with newer devices, though units will still be required to be below a certain volume planning changes also include a relaxation of the rules for the size and number of heat pumps households can install. Households most likely to be affected are those living in terraced housing. In 2021, they accounted for 5.7 million households, or 23% of the total. Some of these will still need planning permission, for example those living in conservation areas and those installing ground source heat pumps. The change is part of the government's Warm Homes Plan which aims to give 300,000 households upgrades to improve their energy efficiency and lower the heat pump industry welcomed the changes, many point out the main barrier for many customers is that installing heat pumps is expensive, particularly in older houses, where better insulation may also be was the case at social housing estate Sutton Dwellings in Chelsea, London, which underwent a full refurbishment of its fabric alongside a new heating network. Its landlord, Clarion Housing Group, did receive a grant from the government to install the new network but also invested its own money. Stuart Gadsden, commercial director at Kensa, the company which designed and installed the system, said this was an issue for many landlords: "A big [barrier] is funding, this obviously does cost more to install than a traditional gas boiler system. "In the social housing sector we have funding from the warm homes social housing fund, but it was oversubscribed by double. Lots of housing associations want to put low carbon heating in but there is not enough to go around." Renters have to rely on landlords being willing to make the initial upfront Lane, Chief Property Officer at Clarion, said the company was happy to do this at Sutton Dwellings because of the impact for residents: "We're waiting to see how the costs of running this system bear out, but our forecasts suggests that each home is going to cost on average £450 - £500 per home (each year) - considerable savings for residents."From 2030, as part of the Warm Homes plan, there will be mandatory requirements for all private landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties. But the way that Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are currently calculated means a gas boiler can sometimes have a better rating than a heat pump because it looks at energy costs and assumes gas is King, deputy director of sustainability at charity Nesta, said the government could bring down electricity costs."The UK has some of the most expensive electricity prices in Europe. The government could take levies off electricity and put them onto gas or use general taxation. It is a tricky choice and one we do expect them to be consulting on within the year," she said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Village pub's annual dog show brings lots of laughs despite rain
THERE were lots of laughs at a pub as villagers came together for its annual dog show. Dogs of all shapes and sizes were entered into a variety of categories at the Fox and Hounds in Lulsley, near Worcester, including waggiest tail, best trick, best presented and judges' favourite. This year marked the pub's eighth dog show, which has got bigger each year. Despite the rain, all tables in the beer garden were taken up by competitors of all ages, alongside their four-legged friends. "This is the eighth year we've done it. It gets bigger and bigger each year, apart from this year because of the weather," said manager Tom Clarke. READ MORE: Food and Vikings bring Droitwich park to life for festival READ MORE: Families flock to fun-filled day at park despite wind READ MORE: Opening dates confirmed for picturesque confetti flower field "It's not Crufts or anything. Sometimes you go to these dog shows at village fetes and things and it's really competitive and not fun. "It's a couple of quid. You can have a bit of a laugh, beer and pizza - what more do you want?" Jayne Symonds and daughter Hannah Gilks have become regular competitors over the years, with their cocker spaniels Ralph and Ted. "We come every year, it's good fun," Ms Symonds said. "We've entered them into lots of categories." Councillor Sarah Rouse, who represents Alfrick, Leigh and Rushwick on Malvern Hills District Council, also came along with her dog Chip. She said: "It's always been a great community event, it gets loads of people together. "It's nice to see all the dogs and it's really good fun." The show kicked off with the best presented category, won by cocker spaniel Ted who donned a multicoloured vest. Next up was the dog and owner lookalike category, with one owner wearing ears and a matching hoodie to win. The matching hoodie was a hit with the judges, meaning lurcher Romeo took first place. One of the most successful competitors was Ronan, who took home prizes for being the best pup - a category for dogs under two - and judges' favourite.
Irish Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Council retakes possession of home of 1916 Rising leader after alleged trespassers vacate building
Dublin City Council has retaken possession of the former home and shop of 1916 Rising leader Tom Clarke on Amiens Street after a dozen alleged trespassers vacated the property, the High Court has heard. Last November, the council issued High Court proceedings aimed at restraining 'persons unknown' from trespassing at the property after receiving reports of unauthorised occupation last May. On Tuesday, Gavin Mooney SC, for the council, said that an undertaking had been agreed by those allegedly trespassing to vacate the house. He said that, upon inspection, there had been 'slightly more damage' to the property than thought, but that this would not be an issue. READ MORE None of the 12 named alleged trespassers was in court before Mr Justice Brian Cregan, who adjourned the matter. Mr Mooney said the 12 individuals had now given their names to the council and vacated the house. In February, an application by the council for a court-ordered inspection of the Georgian building was adjourned amid concerns of a 'stand-off' with anyone occupying the premises. One of the alleged trespassers told the High Court that while some in occupancy 'had no huge objection' to the inspection, others were not sure. 'We deal with things by consensus,' then-occupant Jem Cleaver told the court. Ms Cleaver told Mr Justice Cregan that she did not want a 'stand off' between any of the occupants and any council staff entering and inspecting the seven-bedroom building. Dublin City Council was seeking to inspect the premises, which dates from the 1790s, for damages caused either by Storm Éowyn or by the occupants. Mr Justice Cregan had been told the occupants accepted that they had to vacate the heritage site by May 12th, but opposed an inspection, which they feared would violate their privacy and prejudice them on any council housing list should they give their names to officials. The council had spent €630,000 on purchasing the run-down building in 2018 with plans to transform it into a museum and community centre. The court previously heard works had not begun as a chosen contractor pulled out in 2023, but that the council was 'anxious' to revive its restoration plan.
The Journal
29-04-2025
- The Journal
Council re-takes possession of former home of 1916 rising leader after alleged trespassers vacate
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has re-taken possession of the former home and shop of 1916 Rising leader Tom Clarke, on Amiens Street in Dublin, after a dozen alleged trespassers vacated the property, the High Court has heard. Last November, the council issued High Court proceedings aimed at restraining 'persons unknown' from trespassing at the property after receiving reports of unauthorised occupation last May. Today at the High Court, Gavin Mooney SC, for the council, said that an undertaking had been agreed by those allegedly trespassing to vacate the house. He added that, upon inspection, there had been 'slightly more damage' to the property than thought, but that this would not be an issue. None of the 12 named alleged trespassers were in court this morning before Mr Justice Brian Cregan, who adjourned the matter. Mr Mooney said the 12 individuals had now given their names to the council and vacated the house. Advertisement In February, an application by the council for a court-ordered inspection of the Georgian building was adjourned amid concerns of a 'stand-off' with anyone occupying the premises. One of the alleged trespassers told the High Court that while some in occupancy 'had no huge objection' to the inspection, others were not sure. 'We deal with things by consensus,' then-occupant Jem Cleaver told the court. Ms Cleaver told Mr Justice Cregan that she did not want a 'stand off' between any of the occupants and any council staff entering and inspecting the seven-bedroom building. Dublin City Council was seeking to inspect the premises, which dates from the 1790s, for damages caused either by Storm Éowyn or by the occupants. Mr Justice Cregan had been told the occupants accepted that they had to vacate the heritage site by May 12 next but opposed an inspection, which they feared would violate their privacy and prejudice them on any council housing list should they give their names to officials. The council spent €630,000 on purchasing the run-down building in 2018 with plans to transform it into a museum and community centre. The court previously heard works have not begun as a chosen contractor pulled out in 2023, but that the council is 'anxious' to revive its restoration plan. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
