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
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.