Construction industry diary 2015
This is an archive of key events in the construction industry in 2015, such as changes in policy, legislation etc. The oldest items appear last.
For current and future events see Construction industry diary.
For the 2014 archive see Construction industry diary 2014.
End of the year - Publication of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment report on flood resilience and mitigation.
End of the year - Design Commission inquiry into design and behaviour in the built environment was due to report, but did not.
17 December 2015. Closing date for submissions to the Economic Affairs Committee inquiry into the economics of the housing market.
December 2015. The first cycle of flood risk management plans, will be published.
HCFCs banned in existing equipment.
November 2015. Chief Construction Advisor position scrapped.
October 2015. Inspection of Minor alterations to the London Plan.
6 October 2015. End of CDM transitional period after which a principal designer must be appointed.
6 October 2015. End of call for written evidence by House of Lords Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment.
2 October 2015. Apprenticeships levy consultation closed.
1 October 2015. Government removed pre-accreditation for all new participants in the Feed-in Tariff scheme.
1 October 2015. New edition of Approved Document M came into force.
1 October 2015. New edition of Approved Document G came into force.
1 October 2015. Approved document Q came into force.
23 September 2015. ISO 9001 revised.
September 2015 - revision of ISO 14001.
September 2015. An assessment of the skills required to deliver the National Infrastructure Pipeline will be published.
1 September 2015. Low emission zone for non-road mobile machinery introduced.
1 September 2015. UK Contractors’ Group (UKCG) and the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) became Build UK.
31 August 2015. PAS 1192-2 consultation closed.
7 August. End of consultation on Housing Design SPG.
August 2015. End of pilot for new ways to publicise statutory planning notices.
6 July 2015. Planning (Wales) Act was enacted.
July 2015. Publication of BS 8536-1:2015 Briefing for design and construction. Code of practice for facilities management (Buildings infrastructure).
29 June 2015. Consultation closed for Business Improvement Districts.
26 June 2015. Closing date for Bowen Jenkins Legacy Research Fund
22 June 2015. Consultation ended on Minor alterations to the London Plan
June 2015. Builders were be able to sign up to the Home Quality Mark.
31 May 2015. PAS 1192-5 came into effect.
May 2015. Planning (Wales) Bill voted through.
6 April 2015. Changes to SuDS came into effect.
6 April 2015. CDM 2015 came into effect.
1 April 2015. English Heritage split into English Heritage and Historic England.
26 March 2015, Modern Slavery Act received Royal Assent.
25 March 2015. Timeline published to implement changes to the prompt payment code and a new prompt payment code website went live.
25 March 2015. PPS5 guidance was cancelled and replaced with Historic environment good practice advice.
19 March 2015. Consultation on Section 106 agreements closed.
11 March 2015. Consultation closed for display energy certificates.
8 March 2015. The BIM Toolkit was released in a public beta form for testing.
2 March 2015. Consultation ended for PAS 1192-5:2015.
March 2015. Budget set out proposed changes to the compulsory purchase regime.
March 2015. HSE Land Use Planning Pre-application Advice service fully rolled out.
March 2015. The Energy Company Obligation was extended to March 2017 as ECO2.
February 2015. Green deal home improvement fund funding released.
February 2015. Starter home initiative consultation closed.
February 2015. Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Bill 2014-15 introduced to House of Lords.
January 2015. Northern Futures initiative working group to report.
January 2015. Prospective buyers can register for the starter home initiative.
31 January 2015. Consultation on English Flood Risk Management Plans closed.
30 January 2015. Buy to leave consultation ended.
29 January 2015. Consultation on statutory consultees for planning (including SuDS) closed.
7 January 2015. Consultation on zero-carbon homes small sites exemption closed.
1 January 2015. The use of HCFC’s was prohibited in any form, even for maintenance.
Early 2015. DECC intend to publish more detailed water source heat map.
For older events, see Construction industry diary 2014.
Featured articles and news
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.