The Royal Town Planning Institute has responded to the announcement by John Healey MP, Minister for Housing and Planning at the RTPI Planning Convention that in the forthcoming 2010 revision of Part L Building Regulations, the Government will be setting a new requirement that all new buildings, whether domestic or non domestic, will have to deliver at least a 25% improvement on current energy efficiency standards.

Robert Upton, Secretary-General of the RTPI said: “To adopt this 25% improvement in 2010 will be tough but this is a bold decision which we welcome and fully support. If we are to achieve our targeted reduction of carbon emissions of 20% by 2020 as the Minister indicated, we have to act now. The Government is demonstrating its clear commitment to delivering a long term solution to our climate change challenge and is not being blown off target by the current economic situation. It’s time for planners, architects and developers to step up to the mark and respond to this challenge.”

Responding in other announcements in the Minister’s speech at the RTPI convention, Mr. Upton welcomed the Minister’s announcement of a new initiative, backed up with funding, to incentivise the use of Local Development Orders.

Robert Upton said: “We have been calling for this initiative for some time. Local Planning Authorities need to see demonstrable benefits from using Local Development Orders and to work through the practical issues around their preparation and implementation. A funded pilot will be an extremely valuable and timely way of achieving this.”

The full line-up for the RTPI’s Planning Convention 2009 is available at http://www.theplanningconvention.co.uk/

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ENDS

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For further information please contact:

Jamie Hodge, Communications and Public Affairs Officer, RTPI

jamie.hodge@rtpi.org.uk or 07969 976799

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Notes to Editors

1. The RTPI Annual Planning Convention 2009 will take place at the QE2 Conference Centre, Westminster, London from 17 – 19 June, with the theme of “Planning in a Changing Climate, bringing together leading national and international commentators and experts with over 600 participants from all over the UK and abroad. If you wish to attend the Planning Convention in a press capacity please contact Jamie Hodge, Communications and Public affairs officer, RTPI (details above).

2. Photograph of John Healey giving keynote speech at the Planning Convention 2009, held at the QE2 Centre in London on Thursday 18th 2009. Please feel free to use this image- credit to RTPI.

3. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute

The RTPI is a dynamic organisation leading the way in the creation of places that work now and in the future. We understand that just as people develop places, so places develop people. We are committed to the enhancement of our natural and human environment, using spatial planning to manage competing pressures on our built environments and the very real effects on our space. Through our members, we constantly seek to create areas and places in which people want to live and work.

As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development. The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners worldwide, with over 22,000 members.

For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk

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41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL

RTPI, a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 037841

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Author:

Nancy Hammonds

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

03-Jul-09

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media

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