As homes across the UK prepare for the annual Spring DIY and renovation season, Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, has partnered with the Planning Portal, the home of planning and building regulations, in a bid to boost important gas safety awareness linked to building works.
Despite the cost-of-living crisis, recent research from
Rated People indicates that families across the UK are still undertaking substantial DIY projects, with 35 per cent saying they will definitely improve their homes this year and almost two in three (60%) tradespeople expecting to work on renovation projects in 2023. With the home improvement trend unlikely to slow down, but with purse strings tighter than ever, together Cadent and the Planning Portal are keen to raise awareness about gas safety, while encouraging people embarking on DIY and building projects to not cut corners on the planning.
With the Planning Portal facilitating 90 per cent of all online applications for England and Wales, as well as providing an online building control application service, the strategic partnership with Cadent aims to significantly raise awareness on what should be considered on gas safety ahead of any building work.
Scott Alford, Head of Business Development at Planning Portal, said: “We’ve been working with Cadent to create new content to explain the importance of finding out the location of the gas pipes, meters and other utility networks when planning any building work, and importantly, before a project begins. This will help to avoid any health and safety issues from a potential network strike and incurring additional project costs for putting it right.”
Dan Mee, Principal Integrity Engineer at Cadent, added: “Home renovations are exciting projects, but many people are unaware of practical risks associated with carrying out works around gas service pipes, emergency control valves and meter installations. The Planning Portal is the first point of call for anyone with planning and building work enquiries and so we’re hoping that by launching new guidance, we will see an increase in engagement from homeowners and builders to ensure the impact of the works on gas safety, are properly assessed.”
Dan continued: “We often don’t get contacted until after works have taken place which can result in unforeseen costs, delays or disruption in completing someone’s home improvements or extension. Even if the work’s been carried out and everything seems fine, there could still be consequences over time – it’s always best to check with us and we’re more than happy to come out to assess and make sure there are no potential issues that could create dangerous or long-term issues.”
The Planning Portal’s (
www.plannningportal.co.uk) mission is to advance the digital future of planning and building. Alongside the application services, the Planning Portal website hosts the latest planning and building legislation, as well as user-friendly, interactive guidance to advise homeowners and industry professionals on all things planning and building.
Important tips:
- When planning any building work, it’s important that you find out the location of the gas pipes and meter before starting a project.
- If you are planning works that could be near gas pipes, you need to contact your Gas Transporter or approved Utility Infrastructure Provider.
- If you are unsure who looks after the gas pipes in your area, you can visit the Energy Networks Association website and enter your postcode into its useful tool.
- Cadent has a dedicated information page offering help and advice to anyone considering building work that might be near to gas pipes - https://cadentgas.com/help-advice/building-regulations-gas-pipes
- The Planning Portal utility guidance has a section on its website which provides useful guidance - www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/utilities/