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CITB NI support Smart ECO Hub new building guide
On 14th April 2015 the Smart ECO Hub Sustainable Building Guide was officially launched by Minister Mark Durkan in the prestigious Parliament Buildings Stormont in Belfast. The event was attended by representatives from local government and the private sector this included MLA Mickey Brady and Steven Agnew along with Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Guy Spence.
Speaking at the launch, which saw representatives from local businesses, local government and the construction industry, North and South, Minister Durkan said: “I very much support the use of sustainable renewable technologies in new buildings. We have geared planning policy to help integrate renewable energy technology into the design, siting and layout of existing and new buildings.
“This Guide demonstrates another good example of the benefits of collaboration between local authorities and the private sector. It has produced a practical document that can be applied in the planning and adaption of buildings in the North and South.
“It is important that we continue to work together and share our experiences as well as exchange ideas that will support our wider understanding of issues that affect our environment.
“There is money to be saved here as well. Sustainable building design can deliver buildings with lower running costs, an attribute that is highly attractive to both householders and businesses. The launch of the Sustainable Building Guide is appropriately timed with the recent transfer of the majority of planning powers from DOE to councils. It also coincides with the Department recently receiving a prestigious UK planning award for outstanding placemaking work in Northern Ireland for its ‘Living Places’ guide, which complements the Sustainable Buildings Guide.
"This is an additional tool available to assist councils in their new roles as decision takers and plan makers in achieving good quality sustainable development through appropriately designed buildings.”
The Smart ECO Hub initiative has demonstrated the benefits of collaborations between local authorities. Over the last 3 years the Smart ECO Hub has grown the energy cluster to include over 100 member companies. It is very encouraging to see that some of the members have been successful in obtaining funding to support product development and this highlights the innovation capabilities in the region. Without this regional cluster initiative these opportunities would have been unlikely to develop and consequently the region and the respective counties
are better as a result.
One of the objectives of the Smart ECO Hub project was to set up Cluster groups, one of them being the Nearly Zero Energy Cluster. This group consists of 8 member companies from Meath - Belfast(Paul McAlister Architects, Enviroform Solutions, Rachel Bevan Architects, Ecological Building Systems, Herr Ltd, Camden Windows, Quality Timber Frames and Beam Vacuum) The group have worked very hard over the last 6 months and have met several times to bring together the sustainable building guide. Several of the Smart ECO Hub member companies operate in the construction sector and have contributed their expertise in outlining key factors to be considered when planning the fabric of your build.
To download the guide click here