Building Weekly Digest: 9 December

It's our penultimate instalment of our LinkedIn digest for 2022 - and while the year may be drawing to a close this week was busy as ever. We've taken a look at the careful balance between energy security and net zero, a potential new model for net zero in London and the great M&S debate. On top of that we have unveiled our full line up of Building the Future commissioners. Check it all out below.

Infrastructure update: Can investment in energy security be compatible with net zero?

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of energy security. But how does investment in greater resilience align with progress towards net zero? In this piece, Simon Rawlinson of Arcadis examines how our energy strategy will need to evolve in order to meet future challenges. Energy security has been a particularly hot topic this week not only because of the cost of living crisis but also the government's announcement that it plans to relax rules on building onshore wind farms in England. The new proposals would allow wind turbines to get planning permission if they have local support and no longer need to be designated in local plans, while communities which back them could have their energy bills lowered.

A new net zero model for London?

Native Land’s Bankside Yards scheme aims to be the UK’s first major mixed-use net zero development partly thanks to an ambient heat network that enables waste heat from one building to be used to heat another. In this report by Thomas Lane we explore how the project brings together two ideas from overseas which, while not that new elsewhere, could make it much easier for large mixed-use developments to reach net zero here. Definitely worth a read.

Full Building the Commission line-up revealed

Nineteen big-hitters from across the construction industry are set to help steer a 12-month inquiry into improving the built environment - and today we confirmed the final panel. We are really excited about the launch of the Building the Future Commission next month and we want everyone to get involved. To get a better idea of the full scope activity and how you can be part of the Commission's work take a look at the #BuildingTheFuture hub page.

To refurb or rebuild? Join the great M&S Oxford Street store debate

The public inquiry is over and we now await the inspector’s decision. Henrietta Billings and Fred Pilbrow put the case for and against plans to build a new flagship store for Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street. This one is a hot debate - where do you land?

Thanks and stay warm this weekend!