A list of 16 bids to build the towns, which was drawn up in April, had already been cut to 13 after three applicants - from areas in Lincolnshire, Staffordshire and Bedfordshire - pulled out.
Now it has emerged that three more, in Norfolk, North Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, are also suffering problems, while plans for another in South Yorkshire have been cut back from 15,000 homes to 5,000.
Developers in Selby, in North Yorkshire - have had their proposals blocked by local authorities, while a partner in the scheme at Hanley Grange, near Cambridge, has withdrawn. The Government has won permission to build a prison on the proposed site of the eco-town in Coltishall, Norfolk.
Earlier this month Caroline Flint, the Housing Minister, has disclosed in a little-noticed document that the final shortlist of locations for the towns, which was due to be published in October, will now not be released until next year.
full article
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Energy bills are soaring
Energy bills are soaring, so now consumers are looking for ways to save money with their household bills. This is not surprising either, what with British Gas prices recently rising by 35%, and Electricity prices rising by 9%!
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way that consumers can save money on their bills. With these tariffs (or capped energy tariffs) guarantee the price per unit that you are charged will not raise above the agreed amount for a stated amount of time.
This period is usually 1 to 2 years. In the present climate of high energy prices , these deals are becoming more and more appealing.
Really there are two main points to consider when trying to compare fixed price energy deals.
1. Be certain you understand exactly the date that your deal ends, as you will need to be ready for the possibly hike in prices when it runs out!
2. Some suppliers of fixed price energy deals may reduce your capped Unit price if there is a drop in their standard prices, whereas other providers may not do this. -Make sure you know which is the case with your energy provider!
full article
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way that consumers can save money on their bills. With these tariffs (or capped energy tariffs) guarantee the price per unit that you are charged will not raise above the agreed amount for a stated amount of time.
This period is usually 1 to 2 years. In the present climate of high energy prices , these deals are becoming more and more appealing.
Really there are two main points to consider when trying to compare fixed price energy deals.
1. Be certain you understand exactly the date that your deal ends, as you will need to be ready for the possibly hike in prices when it runs out!
2. Some suppliers of fixed price energy deals may reduce your capped Unit price if there is a drop in their standard prices, whereas other providers may not do this. -Make sure you know which is the case with your energy provider!
full article
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Generate your own power
Although the initial outlay for most of these technologies is quite high, the Government is offering grants, which can pay for up to 50 per cent of the cost. To qualify, your home has to meet certain energy efficiency standards – such as having full loft and cavity-wall insulation as well as temperature controls. But if you pass these tests, you could receive as much as £2,500 for your project. For more information, and to apply for a grant, visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.
Below, we look at the five main options for generating your own power.
Wind turbines
Although Tory leader David Cameron may have a wind turbine attached to the roof of his home in Notting Hill, don't be fooled into thinking that micro-wind power will be suitable for your home. For wind power to be a viable option, you need to live in an area that has an average wind speed of at least 6 metres per second (m/s), below which you won't generate nearly enough power to justify the not inconsiderable cost of installing a turbine.
Solar
A more popular option is to install solar panels on the roof of your home, from which you can replace some of your electricity, or heat your water. According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average domestic system will set you back between £5,000 and £7,500 – and could save you around £230 on your annual electricity bill. Alternatively, if you choose to use solar panels only to help heat your water, your initial outlay would be slightly smaller – between £3,000 and £5,000 – but savings would also only typically be between £50 and £80 a year.
Biomass heaters
Biomass is biological material that can be used for fuel production, such as wood and energy crops. A biomass heater works by burning biomass to heat your home and your water, and, according to the Energy Savings Trust, could save you as much as £550 a year on heating bills. Stand-alone heaters generally cost between £2,000 and £4,000 to install, but they must comply with a number of building regulations, so it's important to check with your local authority that you have the right to build one.
Ground-source heat pumps
The earth a few metres below the ground stays at a constant temperature of 12-degrees centigrade, and by running a system of pipes underneath your garden, it is possible to harness some of this heat. The pipes, which are filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, are arranged to run in a series of underground loops, heating their contents, which can then be used to heat your home.
The cost of installing one of these systems is between £6,000 and £12,000, but they could help to generate savings of as much as £900 a year.
Hydroelectricity
Finally, if you've got running water on your land, you could consider using its power to generate electricity. Although start-up costs are high – between £5,000 and £25,000 – efficiency levels are very good.
full article
Generate your own energy
Below, we look at the five main options for generating your own power.
Wind turbines
Although Tory leader David Cameron may have a wind turbine attached to the roof of his home in Notting Hill, don't be fooled into thinking that micro-wind power will be suitable for your home. For wind power to be a viable option, you need to live in an area that has an average wind speed of at least 6 metres per second (m/s), below which you won't generate nearly enough power to justify the not inconsiderable cost of installing a turbine.
Solar
A more popular option is to install solar panels on the roof of your home, from which you can replace some of your electricity, or heat your water. According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average domestic system will set you back between £5,000 and £7,500 – and could save you around £230 on your annual electricity bill. Alternatively, if you choose to use solar panels only to help heat your water, your initial outlay would be slightly smaller – between £3,000 and £5,000 – but savings would also only typically be between £50 and £80 a year.
Biomass heaters
Biomass is biological material that can be used for fuel production, such as wood and energy crops. A biomass heater works by burning biomass to heat your home and your water, and, according to the Energy Savings Trust, could save you as much as £550 a year on heating bills. Stand-alone heaters generally cost between £2,000 and £4,000 to install, but they must comply with a number of building regulations, so it's important to check with your local authority that you have the right to build one.
Ground-source heat pumps
The earth a few metres below the ground stays at a constant temperature of 12-degrees centigrade, and by running a system of pipes underneath your garden, it is possible to harness some of this heat. The pipes, which are filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, are arranged to run in a series of underground loops, heating their contents, which can then be used to heat your home.
The cost of installing one of these systems is between £6,000 and £12,000, but they could help to generate savings of as much as £900 a year.
Hydroelectricity
Finally, if you've got running water on your land, you could consider using its power to generate electricity. Although start-up costs are high – between £5,000 and £25,000 – efficiency levels are very good.
full article
Generate your own energy
Monday, 11 August 2008
'Our meter is going backwards'
Anne and Peter Watts installed solar panels and an air source heat pump this summer. "It had better work," says Peter, a retired businessman. "I disconnected my oil tank last week, so if it doesn't we're going to freeze this winter."
The Watts say their decision to invest £10,500 on the panels from Jack Elam and £7,700 on the pump from Ardenham Energy was motivated by concern for the environment and about soaring fuel bills.
"Our oil bills were £95 a month - and rising - and I was beginning to worry about how we were going to cope in the future," says Peter.
"I've worked out that even if fuel prices stay the same, the heat pump will have paid for itself in five years and the panels in under 10. It's too early to see how much money we're making from them but on a sunny day our electricity meter goes backwards. It's a wonderful sight."
It is also a rare one in Britain, which generates less renewable energy than most other European countries - a mere 1.3 per cent. Only around 98,000 homes in the UK have some kind of renewable energy source. The Government is consulting on how it is going to meet its EU obligation to raise its renewable figure to 15 per cent by 2020. However, at present there are no plans to top up the £10million pot of grants for homeowners (more than £8.6million has been spent already, so you had better act quickly, especially as British Gas is to raise prices by 35 per cent).
full article
The Watts say their decision to invest £10,500 on the panels from Jack Elam and £7,700 on the pump from Ardenham Energy was motivated by concern for the environment and about soaring fuel bills.
"Our oil bills were £95 a month - and rising - and I was beginning to worry about how we were going to cope in the future," says Peter.
"I've worked out that even if fuel prices stay the same, the heat pump will have paid for itself in five years and the panels in under 10. It's too early to see how much money we're making from them but on a sunny day our electricity meter goes backwards. It's a wonderful sight."
It is also a rare one in Britain, which generates less renewable energy than most other European countries - a mere 1.3 per cent. Only around 98,000 homes in the UK have some kind of renewable energy source. The Government is consulting on how it is going to meet its EU obligation to raise its renewable figure to 15 per cent by 2020. However, at present there are no plans to top up the £10million pot of grants for homeowners (more than £8.6million has been spent already, so you had better act quickly, especially as British Gas is to raise prices by 35 per cent).
full article
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