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Retrofit

View of revised scheme from New Cross Road, brick facade building, with tower visible in background.

Besson Street, New Cross: plans for more homes .. and Passivhaus

Revised plans offer more private rented and affordable homes, and upgrade the scheme to the ultra-low energy Passivhaus standard for warmer homes, lower bills and low climate emissions.

Zack Polanski standing in front of decorated Christmas tree at City Hall.

Green Party leader accuses Sadiq Khan of ‘standing with Keir Starmer over Londoners’

Zack Polanski said the Mayor of London should use his "huge platform" to lobby ministers on behalf of the nine million residents of the capital more effectively.

White painted roofs in Paris 19th arrondissement, part of project by Briq formation in 2024.

Cool roofs - could they work for London?

Cool roofs are light coloured and designed to reflect heat, the simplest just a coat of white paint. They have been used for centuries in some parts of the world and are now taking off in the US.

High-rise tower blocks at Lewisham Gateway.

London homes are overheating - are building regulations keeping up with climate change?

As London faces another heatwave, residents of tower blocks and other "single-aspect" homes are at particular risk. London's housing stock is poorly adapted for extreme heat. Are building regulations for new build and existing homes fit for purpose in a heating world?

Drone footage of houses in St John's conservation area.

London homes at "acute risk" of overheating - can we adapt fast enough?

UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) modelling found 6m homes in London and the south east are likely to face 2 weeks of extreme indoor heat annually, while schools will swelter through 10 weeks. Are our homes, workplaces and public buildings fit to protect us?

Solar goes live - Andy Stevens jumping in celebration in the garden

A journey of eco-friendly house renovation: Part 2

In Part 1, Andy Stevens described how he and his partner began to transform their 1930's home in Hither Green into a low carbon, energy-efficient space. Now with the heat pump installed, they turn their focus to the roof.

Andy standing by heat pump in the garden

A journey of eco-friendly house renovation: Part 1

So you've moved into a 1930’s property and want to make it more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. What's next? Andy Stevens tells his story.