We know that the physical environment affects us directly, and it has been shown repeatedly that the patient experience of a beautiful and uplifting hospital environment makes a materially positive difference to clinical outcomes.. Clearly, all of these benefits are critical when healthcare is under such pressure – pressure which shows no signs of abating.

However, substantial development and investment in recent years by the government and private bodies has reduced the carbon factor of the grid, through the use of renewables, nuclear power stations, and so on.The National Grid is responsible for working out the carbon factor for the entire grid.

They have scenario modelling and are aware of where things could end up in the best case scenario.However, they also look at what’s happened over the last year.This means we know what’s happening in the UK in terms of energy balance.

We can use that data when considering sustainability in our designs to give a very detailed, current understanding of what the electricity grid is, and what that means for buildings.. We can also use their predictions to understand how the grid is going to decarbonise over the next five to ten years.Importantly, the trajectory for that decarbonisation looks healthy.

What it really comes down to is different scenarios, related to levels of investment, and what that will consist of.

Decarbonisation of the electricity grid is a very large-scale endeavour.There are of course caveats, and there may be other Planning or legal conditions to consider or parties to notify.

An office to lab conversion also cannot be detrimental to the amenity of residential areas (e.g.noise, vibration, fumes), and this may still require demonstration via CFD or noise modelling.

Appointment of a Planning Consultant and application for a Certificate of Lawfulness is often advisable..Furthermore, new external chillers, AHUs (air-handling units), stacks and fans, louvres, waste stores, external access, and other material changes to the office building may still result in the need for Planning Permission.