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Posted on 27 January 2013 18:00
The Government will announce that developers will be able to convert office buildings into blocks of flats without asking councils for permission under radical changes to the English planning system designed to speed up the delivery of new homes. The aim of this policy is to increase the number of properties available in the market especially during the period of recession. The proposal if not carried out with caution will have implications on the quality of the refurbished flats. |
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Posted on 27 January 2013 17:23
Across the UK, noise complaints within newly refurbished properties is now a very common experience with affected parties often resoughting to legal actions. It is essential that contractors and landlords take into consideration acoustic performance of the existing building prior to carrying out any refurbishment works. There are a number of factors that may influence the subjective assessment by a dweller of how good or bad the level of sound insulation is that they are experiencing. |
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Posted on 19 November 2012 13:14
Noisy homes are damaging the health and wealth of UK householders and action is now needed to design quieter homes and urban neighbourhoods. That’s the core finding of new research commissioned by insulation specialist Rockwool among UK property professionals which found that almost two-thirds (64%) said the UK needs quieter homes, with 77% saying levels of noise in buildings are damaging people’s health. The survey asked a panel of 206 architects, planners, estate agents and property developers across the UK whether noise is a problem in urban homes, and 64% agreed it was and said the levels of noise entering properties needs to be addressed. |
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Posted on 19 November 2012 13:05
The Institute of Acoustics has been asked to draft new guidance for planners and developers on how to check noise levels around new wind farms. The document to be issued early next year, will advise on the best way to measure noise and may result in less wind farms being built in the wrong places. |
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Posted on 19 November 2012 12:56
The higher level of air pollution in towns and cities is ageing the brains of over-50s by up to three years, research suggests. Scientists have found that exposure to higher levels of air pollution can lead to decreased brain power in over-50s. Earlier research has also linked bad air to an increased risk of heart and breathing problems. |
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Posted on 12 November 2012 15:56
Wind farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem. American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a wind farm and the second group did not. Do you live close to a wind farm in th UK ? Please air your experience. |
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Posted on 12 November 2012 15:46
Guy Fawkes night is unique in the air quality calendar. The smoke from bonfires takes us back to a time when our homes were heated with solid fuel, and the smoke from fireworks also contains tiny inhalable particles of metals that are used to make different colours. |
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Posted on 01 November 2012 13:45
Energy minister John Hayes has been slapped down by his Lib Dem boss Ed Davey after saying the UK had "enough" onshore wind farms.Mr Hayes told the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph the UK was "peppered" with wind farms and "enough is enough".He suggested reviews would be launched into the noise and impact on the landscape created by turbines.
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Posted on 01 November 2012 13:40
Future European vehicle emission standards must be ‘more effective’ than their predecessors if they are to deliver necessary improvements in air quality, according to Environment Minister Richard Benyon.
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Posted on 01 November 2012 13:35
Premature deaths from Heathrow pollution would treble by 2030 if a third runway is built, according to an academic study.Fifty early deaths a year can be attributed to air pollution from Heathrow, study finds.
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