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4 December 2024

Essex planning team shines at prestigious housing awards

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Home » News » Essex planning team shines at prestigious housing awards

Essex County Council’s planning team has been highly commended at the Essex Housing Awards. The Climate and Planning Action Unit (CaPU) received three nominations for helping Essex achieve its Net Zero targets.

The award nominations were:

  • Excellence in Construction Skills
  • Climate Action – Decarbonisation / Retrofit or New Build
  • Housing and Development Professional of the Year (for team member Nicola)

The team was highly commended in all three categories. Nicola’s nomination shows her contributions to the housing profession and the community. Her work with the team has allowed planning authorities to enforce higher standards from developers. It has ensured an impactful approach to delivering high standard net zero buildings.

What does CaPU do?

CaPU is a team within the planning unit, established as part of Essex’s Climate Action Plan. Essex County Council support local districts and developers in achieving net zero through the planning system. Advising on new homes and buildings so that they use less energy and are better for the environment.

Impact on Essex residents:

The work of CaPU is about creating a better future for Essex residents. By focusing on the planning stage, they are helping to build homes that are:
•    more energy-efficient
•    have better indoor air quality
•    are cheaper to run

This is especially important in the current climate, where fuel poverty and the cost of living are major concerns.

 

Through their efforts, CaPU is contributing to better health and wellbeing outcomes for residents. Their work is helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and build a more sustainable Essex.