Resources
Category Background
To promote the more sustainable use of resources related to both the construction and the operation of new developments.
It is essential not only to manage resources sustainably but to recognise what constitutes a resource outside of the traditional view of minerals and timber.
Regional Waste Strategy
To contribute to the sustainable development of the North West region by developing waste management systems that will reduce waste generation, lessen the environmental impacts of waste production, improve resource efficiency, stimulate investment and maximise the economic opportunities arising from waste in line with specific targets. Ensure that the waste management systems to be developed are in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and integrated waste management, making the maximum possible contribution to reducing environmental impact at an acceptable cost, by:
- Reducing waste produced in the region
- Maximising the reuse of waste products
- Recycling and composting waste
- Recovering value (in the form of energy) from waste that is not recycled
- Maintaining sufficient landfill capacity for the disposal of final residues following treatment and recovery
Regional Spatial Strategy Objectives & Outcomes
The active management and prudent use of our natural and man made resources, with fewer emissions of key greenhouse gases, and the most efficient use of infrastructure.
Integrated Water Management
Plans and strategies should have regard to River Basin Management Plans and assist in achieving integrated water management and delivery of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). They should protect the quantity and quality of surface, ground and coastal waters and manage flood risk.
Regional Spatial Strategy – Policy DP1 Make better use of land, buildings and infrastructure
Proposals and schemes should be located so as to make effective use of land, buildings and infrastructure. They should promote appropriate mixes of uses within a site or its wider neighbourhood, contribute towards reducing the need to travel and assist people to meet their needs locally.
RSS Policy EM2 - Remediating Contaminated Land
Plans, strategies, proposals and schemes should encourage the adoption of sustainable remediation technologies. Where soft end uses (including green infrastructure, natural habitat or landscape creation) are to be provided on previously developed sites, appropriate remediation technologies should be considered which reduce or render harmless any contamination that may be present.
RSS Policy EM10 - A Regional Approach to Waste Management
Plans, strategies, proposals and schemes, should promote and require the provision of sustainable new waste management infrastructure, facilities and systems that contribute to the development of the North West by reducing harm to the environment (including reducing impacts on climate change), improving the efficiency of resources, stimulating investment and maximising economic opportunities.
RSS Policy EM11 - Waste Management Principles
Taking account of the Government’s waste hierarchy, plans, strategies, proposals and schemes should promote more effective forms of waste management by:
- Reducing growth in the amount of waste produced in the region;
- Making the most of opportunities to reuse waste products;
- Encouraging recycling and composting;
- Recovering value, in the form of energy, from waste that is not recycled; and
- Maintaining sufficient landfill capacity for the disposal of residual waste once it has been treated and recovered.
Policy Links
Proposed updates for RSS policies are being considered and site users should be aware of anticipated changes from the Examination in Public Panel Report and Schedules which can be downloaded from the North West Regional Assembly’s website.
RSS
- DP1 Regional Development Principles
- EM2 Remediating Contaminated Land
- EM5 Integrated Water Management
- EM6 Managing the North West’s Coastline
- EM9 Secondary & Recycled Aggregates
- EM10 A Regional Approach to Waste Management
- EM11 Waste Management Principles
- EM13 Provision of Nationally, Regionally and Sub-regionally Significant Waste Management Facilities
- L3 Existing Housing Stock & Housing Renewal
- L4 Regional Housing Provision
- RT1 Regional Public Transport Framework
- RT5 Regional Framework for the Movement of Freight Transport
- RT7 Regional Framework for Walking & Cycling
- W4 Release of Allocated Employment Land
Reference
- BRE Envest2 Sustainable Building Design
- BRE SmartWaste System
- BREEAM Green Guide to Specification
- Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management
- CIRIA Interim Code of Practice for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
- Environment Agency – North West Water Resources Strategy
- Environment Agency Air Quality Information
- Environment Agency Flood maps
- Environment Agency Guidance on Contaminated Land
- Environment Agency Rain Water Harvesting Information
- Forest Stewardship Council
- Life Cycle Assessment Environmental Profiles
- Meeting the Sequential Flood Risk Test – Guidelines for the North West
- North West Regional Waste Strategy
- Planning Policy Statement 1
- PPS 25 Development & Flood Risk
- Regional Spatial Strategy
- Scottish Design Guide for Recycling Storage in Housing Section 5.2.5
- WRAP Construction Resource Advice