March 2011

Kitchen designers looking to wine and dine guests in 2011
The National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA) has announced its predictions regarding what’s hot and what’s not in 2011. And it seems space is being found for bottles of wine in more and more kitchens.

US capital backs out of solar promise
Politicians in Washington D.C. have reneged on a deal to provide funding totalling $700,000 to residents who have installed solar panels on their home.

US magazine offers kitchen remodelling tips
A Michigan-based news site has offered homeowners remodelling tips and advice on how to carry out a successful kitchen redesign.

Solar plans put to Cornwall residents
Falmouth residents will have their say on plans to build a new solar farm in the area at a public meeting next week.

Stamp duty incentives could form part of green budget
The British government is thought to be considering offering incentives to encourage homeowners to take steps to make their houses more energy-efficient.

Online simulator launched to stimulate debate over carbon-cutting measures
An ambitious bid to try to engage people in the issues to be faced in moving to a low-carbon economy has today been launched by the UK government.

Eco-friendly care home up for national design award
A care home in Cookham Dean, Maidenhead, has been shortlisted for a national design award.

£50k to help community centre go green
A grant of £50,000 has been made to a Cumbrian community centre in order to help fund a number of environmentally-friendly building projects.

Europe urged to get skates on over emissions cuts
The European Union has been told that it must get its house in order if it is to hit a target for reducing its members'' greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

County Durham solar decision due
Councillors in County Durham are today due to discuss a plan to embrace solar energy, which could see a number of green schemes go live in the area.

Huhne calls for homes to switch to renewable heat
More homeowners should sign up to schemes which use renewable energy sources to generate their heating, a government minister has said.

Government announces £860m green energy scheme
The government has announced it will spend £860m on a new initiative designed to encourage capital investment in the renewable energy sector.

Famous Coronation Street house gets green makeover for homes show
Number one Coronation Street, one of the most famous addresses in British television, has been given “the ultimate refurbishment” as a centrepiece of this year’s Ideal Home Show in London, which opens today (Friday).

Former fitness instructor predicts bright future for solar panels
A Manchester-based fitness instructor has quit his job in order to launch a solar panel venture in the North West.

Solar panels ready and waiting for new council tenants
A new housing project in Leicester, which contains a host of environmental features, has been officially unveiled.

Design ideas aplenty at New York show
Anyone who is planning on redesigning their home and also happens to be in New York this week may well want to stop off at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2011.

Open concept kitchens are the future, say designers
New kitchens that are seamlessly integrated into family homes are becoming increasingly popular, according to a number of design experts.

Bournemouth council shows commitment to green future
A renewable energy pilot scheme, which will see solar panels fitted to council-owned buildings in Bournemouth, has been given the green light.

National Trust submits solar panels application
The National Trust has applied for permission to fit solar panels to the roof of a 16th century castle in Northumberland.

Government backs major home solar panel installation project
A project which will see solar panels fitted in thousands of British homes has been given a major boost, in the shape of £300million of government funding.

Second home to be standard-bearer for energy saving on Chester estate
A second eco-home is to be unveiled on a Chester estate, showcasing the latest energy-saving measures and products.

Nottingham homes get eco-friendly refit
Six hundred homes in the Aspley district of Nottingham will benefit from new solar panels, helping the families living in them to cut their carbon dioxide emissions, along with their heating bills.

It’s take-off for Lincs village’s new-look hall
A village hall in Lincolnshire, which was originally donated by the RAF more than 45 years ago, has been subjected to a £62,000 refurbishment.

£2million outstation for wind farm workers set to open
A new maintenance building at Barrow docks in Cumbria which will open this week will also make life easier for installation crews working on new wind farms in the area.

Student house leads way for cutting bills
A Manchester-based landlord and property agent claims to have built the first carbon neutral student house in the UK.

Mums get better care thanks to improved maternity ward
Expectant mums who give birth on the maternity ward at a hospital in Huntingdon will have a more comfortable time, thanks to a just-completed project to refurbish their facilities.

Coalition criticised for proposed solar subsidy changes
The coalition government has been criticised after announcing plans to reduce the amount of subsidy funding available to large-scale solar energy projects.

Green investment bank on the way – but critics say help is needed sooner
The creation of a green investment bank to raise funds for, and encourage investment in, energy saving projects, was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing budget for the green energy sector.

TV architect berates British homes’ poor insulation
Many houses in the UK still do not have insulation, even after 40 years of awareness campaigns championing the benefits.

Green investment can help boost businesses’ prospects, says environmental campaigner
A leading member of climate change campaign group Friends of the Earth says businesses which do not improve their energy efficiency are not helping their long-term prospects.

Supermarket group boosts its renewable energy commitment
Massive wind turbines have been erected at a number of supermarket giant Tesco’s distribution centres as part of the company’s commitment to become a carbon-free business by 2050.

Solar power helps make Birmingham bus travel more appealing
Cleaner and more environmentally-friendly bus services are on the cards for Birmingham as a result of a £2.5million investment in the network.

Green light for 27-acre solar project
A plan to install around 20,000 solar panels on the site of a former RAF base in Lincolnshire has been approved.

Don’t get caught out by cheap kitchen units, warns designer
Homeowners have been told to think very carefully before making a final decision on a new kitchen.

San Francisco restarts City Hall solar scheme
The city of San Francisco is preparing to get its bid to become totally reliant on renewable energy back on track.

Green home improvement programmes could generate £6.6bn for UK economy
Britain’s growing green economy could be worth up to £6.6billion, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

County’s biggest solar panel development could be one of its last
One of the biggest arrays of solar panels in the UK has been given the go-ahead by planning officials in Lincolnshire.

Scottish designer backs government’s green energy plan
An Ayrshire-based building designer has praised a plan by the Scottish Government to provide interest-free loans to homeowners, allowing them to make their properties more energy efficient.

Lancashire community hall gets new double glazed windows
Residents in a Lancashire village are celebrating following the completion of a major refurbishment project at their community hall.

100,000 homes fitted with double glazing
A home improvement programme in South Tyneside has seen 100,000 homes fitted with double glazing.

Designer says all homes should have double glazing fitted
Television presenter and celebrity architect George Clarke helps homeowners around the country to renovate their properties. In an interview with Get Hampshire ahead of this year’s Grand Designs Live exhibition in London, he revealed the best ways to make a house environmentally friendly.