Sustainability

Work to secure Olympic park green legacy complete
Environment Agency hails completion of its work with the Olympic Delivery Authority to create new urban park

UK’s first light-weight solar panels open up markets
Carillion becomes first in UK to install lighter form of solar panels that could be used for a wide range of roofs

Eco-towns: Back to the garden city
Strategically planned large-scale development is back on the government agenda, but this time it’s less eco-town, more leafy suburb. Building reports

Sustainable supermarket: M&S's new Cheshire Oaks store
At this enormous store in Chester, M&S is putting its Plan A sustainability programme to the test. And from the zero-waste policy to the innovative use of natural materials, all the evidence suggests that this is one plan A that is actually working … Building reports

Gove has 'ulterior motive' for scrapping BREEAM
Move to scrap green standards for schools driven by the free schools agenda, public procurement chief says

Part L changes will fail to boost Green Deal
Industry says loopholes in regulations will enable homeowners to avoid energy improvements

Call to raise green standards of Olympic legacy housing
New Mayoral Development Corporation told current plans will fail to be beacon for sustainability

Closing the energy performance gap
The government’s proposal to accredit housebuilders as part of its Part L consultation should raise standards

Government relaxes carbon targets for new homes
Limiting carbon reduction target on new homes to 8% rather than 25% will lower costs for housebuilders, ministers say

Green schools row heats up
Previous government’s green schools adviser voices concern over move to drop BREEAM standard