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Feb 7, 2024 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Nikki Sutherland |Felicia Rankl
Skip to main content This information should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice. Read the disclaimer. This article focuses on England. The last section provides links to further information for the devolved administrations. What are permitted development rights?
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Feb 5, 2024 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
Recent media and industry reports suggest some homeowners have found it difficult to remortgage or sell properties that have spray foam insultation. If installed incorrectly, spray foam insulation may lead to condensation which can affect a roof structure. This article focuses on England. An article by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre provides information on the use of spray foam insulation in Scotland. What is spray foam insulation?
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Nov 8, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
The government set a legally binding target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050, compared with 1990 levels. This is known as the ‘net zero target’. To meet this target, the government has set the aim of “a fully decarbonised, reliable and low-cost power system by 2035”. The government said a fully decarbonised power system would be “composed predominantly of wind and solar”.
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Oct 24, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl |Nikki Sutherland
Planning consent for renewable energyRenewable energy developments usually require planning consent. Exceptions apply to small-scale developments, such as solar panels on domestic roofs with a capacity up to 50 kilowatt, which are covered by ‘permitted development rights’.
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Oct 10, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
Fire and smoke alarms cannot prevent fire, but they can alert residents to the existence of a fire so they can put it out or leave the building. Whether fire or smoke alarms must be installed in individual flats depends on when a building was built and whether a flat is rented:Fire alarms (which can detect smoke, heat and other products of fire) must be installed in individual flats in blocks of flats built since 1992 (PDF).
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Aug 31, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
The use and development of all land and buildings in England are governed by the planning system. Most planning matters are the responsibility of local planning authorities (LPAs). Usually that function is taken on by the district council. The planning system in England is “plan-led”. This means what can be built and where is set out in plans:Local plans are prepared by LPAs. They set out their vision and framework for the future development of and land use in their area.
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Aug 31, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
For background information and the role of local planning authorities (LPAs), see the constituency casework article on the planning system in England. Before making a decision on a planning application, an LPA is required by law to hold a public consultation to allow local residents to express their views on the proposed development. Anyone can respond to a consultation, but the LPA only has to consider comments received during the consultation period.
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Jul 18, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl |Nikki Sutherland
UK Government target: Net zero by 2050The UK Government set a legally binding target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 100% target by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. This is known as the ‘net zero target’. To meet this target, the government has set the aim of “a fully decarbonised, reliable and low-cost power system by 2035”. The government said a fully decarbonised power system would be “composed predominantly of wind and solar”.
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Jun 30, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
Fire safety during construction and occupationThe fire safety of houses and blocks of flats is governed by different regimes at different points:The fire safety measures that houses and blocks of flats must include at the point of construction (or some refurbishments) are governed by the Building Regulations 2010. The building owner or manager is responsible for the fire safety of blocks of flats during occupation, under the Fire Safety Order 2005.
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Jun 6, 2023 | 
commonslibrary.parliament.uk | Felicia Rankl
Building regulations set standards for construction and refurbishment work in England. The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 prompted a review of the rules and processes governing building safety. In response, the government passed the Building Safety Act 2022. It creates rigorous rules specifically for the construction, refurbishment and occupation of high-rise residential buildings. Building regulations and safety are devolved matters.
