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Stimulating Interest in Built Environment Policy | Edge Debate

the Edge has responded to the MHCLG’s consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework - 22nd September 2024

While applauding the ministerial team’s determination to deal with the nation’s pressing housing issues without delay and the pragmatic approach to approaching practical problems within the planning system the Edge believes that the proposals lack ambition towards a number of fundamental, but equally urgent issues, including the unavoidable responsibility to tackle the crises in the climate, nature, and national health and wellbeing . We make a number of recommendations.

the Edge has published the Consultation Draft of ‘Competence frameworks for the built environment – Core criteria for sustainability competence – Code of practice’ - 12th september 2024

Working with Workstream 10 of the CIC’s Climate Change Committee, the support of the University College for Estate Management (UCEM) and an industry-wide Advisory Panel, the Edge has developed a draft Competence Framework for sustainability in the built environment. The Framework is a Seed Document for an eventual British Standard intended to form part of its BS 8670 Competence series and is being published for public consultation and comment.

The Standard covers all aspects of sustainability for built environment and infrastructure provision, including associated external and landscape works, for the full breadth of professions and trades in the sector. It is an overarching framework for the development of discipline-specific competency frameworks.

From our friends - Wales Net Zero2035

The report - Pathways to a Prosperous and Resilient Wales will be published on 16th September 2024 - see https://netzero2035.wales/

Former Deputy London Mayor and member of the Edge, NIcky Gavron, dies 30th August 2024

Nicky became a Labour Councillor in Haringey in 1986 , led the London Planning Advisory Committee from 1994 and was elected onto the London Assembly in 2000, only stepping down in 2021. She tirelessly championed a wide range of activities from community initiatives in Haringey to the international C40 Cities group. Her many campaigns topics included climate change, the place of children in cities and regreening the environment, but, above all, making sure that the planning system worked for both people and planet.

Nicky joined the Edge following her retirement from front-line politics, having been a longstanding and important supporter and touchstone for us, always with huge enthusiasm for what we were trying to do. We were really pleased when she decided to join us and engage directly in developing our thinking and planning our events. We last saw her in person at the Land Use Framework Roundtable on July the 11th, at which we spoke as forcefully and incisively as ever.

We have a great deal to be grateful to her for.

See Tony Travers’ Obituary in the Guardian and a tribute article in Building

the Edge has Guest edited Futurebuild News

(4-6th March 2024)

with articles on Five initiatives to achieve major change for people and the environment, climate change and nature recovery, BNG lessons, Labour’s planning reforms and how the circular economy can unlock prosperity

Read More

the Edge biannual report

the Edge has published a report on its activities over the last two years - from July 2021 to July 2023

Download here