Local Planning News from Wycombe District Council

Keep up to date with weekly news items issued from Wycombe District Council.

Energy Saving Week 2011

24-28 October is Energy Saving Week, coordinated by the Energy Savings Trust.  Statistics produced by Ofgem and the Office for National Statistics show that since 2005 energy bills have increased by 73% in comparison to an increase in household income of 20%.  The need to make sure homes are fully insulated is becoming increasingly important.  About 33% of heat in the home is lost through uninsulated walls and about 26% through a poorly insulated roof.  

Transition Towns High Wycombe and Marlow, two environmental groups concerned about our reliance on fossil fuels, are offering free thermal imaging surveys to residents in their areas starting in November.  Using the Council’s thermal imaging camera they can assess the areas of heat loss from a dwelling using infra red imaging and help to decide which might be the most cost effective energy efficiency measures.  To take advantage of this free offer and arrange free thermal imaging …. 

§ If you are in Marlow, email: marlowthermal@aol.co.uk     

§ If you are in High Wycombe phone 01494 858390 or click on http://www.post-carbon-living.com/TTHW/ for more information  

§ Alternatively contact the Council on 01494 421744  

Loft and cavity wall insulation are two of the most cost effective ways of cutting heat loss. The Council is continuing to offer subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation from £99 each.  The scheme is being run by Cocoon, a comparison service.  Phone 0800 80 48 777 or click on http://www.cocoonyourhome.co.uk/ for more information. 

If a property is fully insulated costs can be further reduced by taking advantage of financial incentives for generating electricity and heat. For example, investment in photovoltaic panels (PVs) can generate about a 5% return (about a 10 year payback dependant on the installation). If you are thinking of installing PVs it might be a good idea to think about it now as the financial incentive, known as the feed–in tariff is likely to go down drastically in April and there will probably be a ‘rush’ for installations. Click on http://www.cocoonyourhome.co.uk/section/?sectionID=12 for more information on solar. 

Redevelopment of the Handy Cross site and related sports proposals
Public Exhibition from 31 October to 18 November 

The Council (as potential applicant/ developer) is holding an exhibition of the proposed changes to the 2009 permitted scheme for the Handy Cross Sports Centre site, incorporating a new leisure centre, new business development, a hotel and coachway.  The exhibition is part of the pre-application process which is expected to result in a planning application being submitted in Spring next year.

The exhibition will also cover the proposal to relocate the synthetic turf pitches to John Hampden School and the running track to Buckmaster playing fields. This exhibition will take place between 31 October and 18 November at the following locations:

Monday 31 October to Sunday 13 November – Wycombe Sports Centre, Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1TJ (normal opening hours)
Monday 14 November to Friday 18 November – Wycombe District Council Offices, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1BB (from 9am to 5pm)
Members of the development project team will be available on location to answer queries on the following dates and times:

Monday 31 October – 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 2 November – 4pm to 8pm
Saturday 5 November – 10am to 12 midday
Thursday 10 November – 4pm to 8pm
Monday 14 November – 10am to 2pm
Friday 18 November – 1pm to 4.45pm

The exhibition will be open to all.

For further information, please contact Charles Brocklehurst, Major Projects and Property Executive, on 01494 421280 or email charles_brocklehurst@wycombe.gov.uk