decarbonisation
09 Oct 2023
New data reveals that there is just one electric vehicle charger for every ten miles in England’s county and rural areas
A new report from the County Council Network has found that the number of publicly-available electric vehicle charge points in England’s county and rural areas lags far behind major towns...
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02 Oct 2023
New tech to be trialled to boost local connectivity
The government has announced that it is piloting smart street lamps that can house EV charging hubs and boost wireless coverage, including 5G. Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire County Councils are among six areas in...
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25 Sep 2023
Government is listening to us on Off Grid heating
The Prime Minister made a speech last week, setting out what he termed a ‘pragmatic, proportionate and realistic path to reach net zero by 2050.’ The speech set out a...
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11 Sep 2023
Government amends Energy Bill following pressure from own Minister
The Government has made crucial last-minute amends to its much-lauded Energy Bill. There has been growing concern from rural MPs over recent months that the Bill unfairly discriminates against rural...
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11 Sep 2023
Government promises £25m for new zero emission buses to connect ‘rural communities’
The Government has promised to prioritise rural communities in its £129m roll out of hundreds of new zero-emission buses. The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper MP (Con, Forest of Dean) has...
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11 Sep 2023
Community-backed onshore wind projects to be given approval more quickly under new government rules – but who will build them?
Onshore wind projects which are supported by local people will be approved more quickly in England, under new measures being brought forward by the Government. Streamlined planning rules now mean...
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01 Sep 2023
Rural England calls on government to review its approach to heating rural homes
A report published today by the independent rural research organisation, Rural England CIC, raises further concerns about the government’s apparent one-size-fits-all policy of requiring the installation of heat pumps in...
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14 Aug 2023
Fears over rural heat pump plan
The Daily Mail has reported last week on the Government’s approach to off grid homes, where the current plan will mean that they can only replace their heating systems after...
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24 Jul 2023
Trial underway to shape the future of planning
The Planning Inspectorate is working close with the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities to review the services offered to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Areas under consideration include reshaping...
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12 Jun 2023
Local Government is crucial to reaching net zero
A back business debate on local government’s role in reaching net zero last week highlighted the vital part they have to play. Wera Hobhouse MP (Lib Dem, Bath) said: “Local...
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