Posts Tagged ‘Enviromental’

New Eco-Friendly Housing Scheme for Bangor.

Posted: February 17th, 2009

shutterstock_7532692Oaklee Housing Association have announced a new eco-friendly social housing scheme at Shaftesbury in Bangor.  The development will consist of thirty four, two bedroom apartments, boasting a number of energy saving features.

The apartments will have photovoltaic roof panels which convert sunlight into electricity and will be some of the first public funded homes in Northern Ireland to satisfy the new Code Level 3 environmental impact rating system.  The Code has been designed to encourage sustainability and increase energy efficiency.

The apartments will be available only to people over the age of 55.  The scheme has been praised by Housing Minister, Margaret Ritchie.  ”The delivery of highly energy efficient and sustainable public sector housing is a key priority for my department, especially given the volatility in energy prices and living costs.” says the Minister.

Oaklee and MMM Design & Build have considered everything, right down to the planting.  Mr Brian McVeigh from MMM Design & Build said his company was “also focused on providing highly efficient internal and external fittings”.   “Waste management and recycling is another key design feature with internal storage bins within each apartment allowing the recycling of three types of waste.”

The effects of all these eco-friendly measures are estimated to produce a 25% improvement in CO2 emissions over traditional building regulation requirements.

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Posted in Enviromental, Property News

No Confidence Vote for Environment Minister

Posted: February 13th, 2009

Following Minister Sammy Wilson’s decision to block a government advertising campaign on climate change, Stormont’s Environment Committee has passed a vote of no confidence, by six votes to four. 

Leaving a less than pleasant atmosphere in Stormont,  some are accusing members of using this as a forum for political point scoring, many of Wilson’s peers and experts in climate change are appalled by his comments.  Environment Chair Patsy McGlone confirmed ahead of yesterday’s meeting, that she had no sympathy with Minister Wilson.

It appears that Mr Wilson’s comments that the adverts were part of an insidious propaganda campaign, are only the tip of the iceberg.  A leading expert on fuel and energy and a former consultant to the government has revealed details of an e-mail from Mr Wilson stating that claims that fossil fuels would run out are “nonsense”.

Following a request from the Green Party’s European candidate, Steven Agnew, Mr Wilson’s actions will be discussed in Brussels next week during a plenary session of the European Parliament.  Mr Agnew stated “Sammy Wilson is entitled to his own views, but he is not entitled to ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence that man-made climate change exists.”

These latest comments from Mr Wilson have further fueled the fire, sparked off last summer when he announced that he would vote against the government’s Climate Change Bill.  It appears that Minister Wilson’s credibility in the political and scientific world has all but evaporated.   So far Mr Wilson has resisted all calls for his resignation.

Click below to view one of the advertisements from the blocked campaign. 

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Posted in Enviromental

NI’s Environment Minister Slams Green Ad!

Posted: February 10th, 2009

Sammy Wilson, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland has blocked a government advertising campaign on climate change.  Minister Wilson claims that the adverts are part of an “insidious propaganda campaign”.

The Green Party amongst others have called for the Ministers removal from office stating that he has made “a laughing stock out of Northern Ireland.”  Brian Wilson of the Green Party has said of Minister Wilson,”He is a climate change sceptic. We have got to take all measures we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Mr Wilson does not agree with that.”

Minister Wilson defends his position stating that the advertising campaigns were ”giving people the impression that by turning off the standby light on their TV they could save the world from melting glaciers and being submerged in 40ft of water”.  He states this is ”patent nonsense”.

Minister Wilson wrote to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), stating that the campaign “was not welcome”.  He does not believe in its message that ”man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of climate change”.

Whatever Minister Wilson’s own belief’s are, his blocking of this campaign has caused many of his peers to call for his removal.  Tommy Gallagher, SDLP, accused Mr Wilson of “political sabotage of an important public awareness campaign”.  Friends of the Earth Director, John Woods has registered his disbelief at the Ministers actions calling them “Completely Irresponsible”. 

Despite Minister Wilson’s departmental website claiming that it takes a lead on climate change issues, Mr Wilson has told Whitehall that such messages will only be promoted within Northern Ireland on his say so.  

Many of the Minister’s peers are questioning his decision, is this based on personal opinion or consultation?

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Posted in Enviromental, Property News

Safe as houses – Your risk of flooding!

Posted: November 4th, 2008

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew and Environment Minister Sammy Wilson have launched a strategic Flood Map for Northern Ireland.  The map which is the culmination of work undertaken by the Rivers Agency and the Department for the Environment allows the general public unhindered access to flood map information.

The map has been designed to increase awareness amongst the general public, local authorities, utilities and other organisations of the probability of flooding and to encourage them to be better prepared and take appropriate action.

There are many considerations to factor in when moving to a new area or home.  With the noticeable changes in climate over recent years home owners are becoming increasingly aware that flood risk is another factor to consider when purchasing property.  Minister Gildernew said “In recent times we have seen the damage which flooding can do and the major disruption and distress that it can cause.  Flooding is a natural phenomenon and these experiences highlight the need for better management of flood risk.”

The number of properties within Northern Irelands river and coastal flood plaines is around 45,000, however many of these have a minimal likelihood of flooding due to their elevation or position in relation to flood defences.   For further information on the Flood Map, or to view it, visit the Rivers Agency’s website or click the following link. www.riversagencyni.gov.uk

SOURCE: NORTHERN IRELAND GOVERNMENT NEWS

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Posted in Enviromental, Property News

How green is your house?

Posted: July 4th, 2008

Whether its the cost to the environment or the strain on your purse strings, most of us are looking for ways to cut the cost of energy consumption in our homes.  Energy saving light bulbs, better loft insulation, we are all considering what measures we can implement in order to ease the burden in the current economic climate.  

With the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates earlier in the year, if your buying or selling a property, you will be even more aware of the implications of having a more energy efficient home.

Northern Ireland recently unveiled its first A-rated house.  The property which is located in Holywood, Co.Down is the regions first carbon neutral home.  The property was built by Sky Developments, who should be praised for their use of new technologies in producing a self sufficient home.

Although the property has a price tag in the region of £700k it will save the owners thousands a year in fuel costs alone.  It is claimed that the property will not incur any gas, electricity or heating bills as all its fuel requirements will be generated through eco technologies such as solar panels.  In fact the builder claims that the Electricity board will actually owe the home-owner money at the end of the year.

The property will also benefit from being exempt from rates under the governments new scheme, carbon neutral homes are zero rated.  Whatever your primary concern, saving money or the environment, the government is clearly trying to encourage builders that this is the way forward in residential property development.   A home that pays for itself, whichever way you look at it.

SOURCE: BELFAST TELEGRAPH, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL NEWS

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Posted in Enviromental, New Development News, Property News