LAND CONTAMINATION, ENERGY SAVING & STREAMLINING PLANNING

As usual the event was kicked off by our MD Jason Roper commenting yet again on what a fantastic turnout with standing room only at the back of the room. 

Jason’s subject of choice this month was the planning application process born off not only his own experience of the process but the experiences and difficulties which some of his clients are encountering on a weekly basis. 

As Jason elaborated more he posed the question of how the planning process can be improved for the better, how can developers work closer with the planning officers and local authorities in order to reduce the time in which it takes to get a planning application through. 

Many options were touched on, mostly common sense, however, Jason will be updating us throughout 2019 as he himself will be lobbying for change by speaking to the local authorities to see how everyone can work together and hopefully look to implement some much-needed changes in the near future. Jason did close by saying this is not the same across the country and indeed some local authorities lead by example, however its consistency we need.
 
Next up was a short video message from MPG Director Fiona McKay who is currently busy working on a project out in Dubai. 

Fiona talks of International Women’s day and her #FEEDBACKFIRSTCAMPAIGN. (see video below)

Our first guest speaker this month was Craig Jones of Energy Gain UK. 

Craig provided some very interesting statistics relating to Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy market growth, Carbon Reduction, Energy Wastage and Renewable Energy. 

More interesting reasoning also showed why energy pricing are currently increasing at the rate of 6% per annum, these include wholesale & transportation costs, government taxes, exchange rates and changing weather such as the beast from the east which produced a 10 year high in UK energy prices. 

Craig also discussed the Feed in Tariff which was a government backed incentive to install solar photovoltaics and other green technologies which ends in March 2019. 

Despite this scheme coming to an end it’s far from being the end. For example, from a landlord’s perspective installing solar photovoltaics can have many benefits including a revenue stream by selling the generated power to the tenants at market value, capital allowance benefits, increased energy performance as well as creating great CRS and marketing opportunities. 
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Please visit their web address for more details on the variety of services Energy Gain UK have to offer - https://energygain.co.uk/ 
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Second to take to the floor was Michelle Thorniley of the LK Group.  
Michelle got straight to the point, she explained the definition of contaminated land and the impact and potential costs implications it can have for a developer if they fail to carry out the correct DD from day one. 
The basic theme was that paying out for a concise Preliminary Risk Assessments and Site Investigations can be incredibly beneficial and account for huge costs savings when it comes to the remediation process and the ultimate validation of that remediation.
For a full idea of the service which Michelle and the LK Group can offer please visit their website: - http://www.thelkgroup.com

The winner of this month’s champagne draw sponsored by Landmark Development Solutions was Wayne Radcliffe, with the meal for two at Albert’s going to Tony Houlihan, FC Developments. 

We look forward to seeing you all at our next event taking place on Thursday 4th April when we will hear from Cllr Bill Fairfoull, Deputy Leader of Tameside TMBC for the latest on the Spatial Framework.  

We will also be hearing from our very own Clive Gawthorpe who will update us on Brexit, VAT and significance of the Chancellors recent speech. 

If you are not a member but are interested to get involved with MPG please contact us today info@mpg-nw.com and we would be more than happy to provide information on our membership options and upcoming events. 

We look forward to seeing you all in April!!!