This guidance note provides an overview of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for commercial buildings, including when an EPC is legally required, MEES exemptions and the CLA’s approach to listed buildings and buildings within a Conservation Area.
Defra released a consultation on June 19 on the UK government’s Tree Strategy for England. The consultation document sets out Defra’s current thinking on the future for our trees and woodlands and asks various questions to help shape the final England Tree Strategy which is expected later in 2020. This Briefing Note – which applies to England only - summarises the key issues in the consultation document.
This Guidance Note concerns what is and is not included in a listing, i.e. the principal building, and potentially fixtures, attached structures, and curtilage structures. It explores the mythology which has grown up on this subject. It also covers the implications of inclusion, and what members can do to persuade local authorities or others that something is, or is not, included in the listing of a listed building. It is designed to be read alongside other CLA Guidance Notes, especially Getting heritage and other consents, and Listed buildings - do I need consent?
This note provides information on the Woodland Carbon Guarantee (WCaG). This is a £50m government scheme which provides a financial incentive to land managers in England to plant new woodland to help tackle climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere. The scheme is run by reverse auctions every six months or so. The guidance note summarises how the scheme operates, how to apply and outlines the carbon market. It also outlines the Woodland Carbon Code, the voluntary standard for UK woodland carbon projects, under which applications to the WCaG scheme have to be registered. The Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme operates in England only.
In late February 2020, UK Government announced a phasing out of sales of house coal within three years and restrictions on sales of wet wood from February 2021. These new restrictions apply to England only but similar measures are being considered by Welsh Government. This guidance note sets out the new rules, the reasons for them and how they will affect members.
In these extraordinary times landlords and tenants may want or need to reconsider the terms of their existing residential tenancy agreements.
This Guidance Note deals with the issue of rent concessions and contains suggested template letters that could be used or adapted by landlords to record temporary changes to the rent payable under residential tenancy agreements.
This Guidance Note introduces the concept of natural capital as a way of measuring and managing the environmental impacts of businesses. It outlines what is meant by natural capital, why it is important and how CLA members can undertake a natural capital assessment of their land holding. The note also introduces the idea of environmental markets and has links to a number of tools and case studies.
In 2015 new rules for private sewage systems came into force requiring that any septic tank which currently discharges directly to a water course be upgraded. Initially, the Environment Agency gave a deadline of January 2020 by which existing non-compliant tanks must upgrade. This deadline has now been relaxed, however, the CLA is advising members to act promptly if they are looking to sell their property or if their system is causing pollution. This Guidance Note outlines the regulations and provides advice on how to comply.
On 15 January 2020 the government published its second iteration of the Agriculture Bill. The Agriculture Bill initially failed to make it through the last Parliament due to the Brexit deadlock and general election.
Listed building consent (LBC) is required for any work to a listed building which affects its 'special interest'. Much (perhaps most) work to listed buildings will not affect special interest, and therefore does not need consent. In practice, however, the 'official' guidance is minimal, it can appear very unclear whether LBC is needed or not, and penalties for carrying out work which needed consent without consent can be substantial. This Guidance Note is designed to help members with heritage who are in doubt.