Resources

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To promote the more sustainable use of resources related to both the construction and the operation of new developments.

Read the background on Resources

Question 6.1

Objective

To ensure that sites and developments take due account of flood risk, and where it is present, take appropriate measures

Importance: Importance

Question

Is the development sited and designed in accordance with the sequential test set out in PPS 25?

  1. Site is within Zone 1 on Environment Agency flood map. For sites over 1ha: Flood Risk Assessment produced as per PPS25, vulnerability to flooding from sources other than river and sea considered, and the impact of hard surfaces and Surface water run-off considered. Layout and design of development to reduce risk of flooding and impact of flooding, and mitigation measures to reduce the potential of the development to increase flooding elsewhere
  2. For Zone 2 sites: No suitable Zone 1 sites available. No “highly vulnerable” uses within the development application. Flood Risk Assessment produced as per PPS25, layout and design of development to reduce risk of flooding and impact of flooding, and mitigation measures to reduce the potential of the development to increase flooding elsewhere. Design measures incorporated to reduce the depth and speed of flooding to adjacent and surrounding properties. Demonstration that residual risks of flooding (after existing and proposed flood management and mitigation measures are taken into account) are acceptable. Management and mitigation risks may include flood defences, flood resistant and resilient design, escape/evacuation, flood warning and emergency planning, robust infrastructure and utility provision.
  3. For Zone 3a sites: No suitable Zone 1 or Zone 2 sites available. Only “less vulnerable” or “water compatible” uses within the development proposal. Flood Risk Assessment produced as per PPS25 layout and design of development to reduce risk of flooding and impact of flooding, and mitigation measures to reduce the potential of the development to increase flooding elsewhere. Design measures incorporated to reduce the depth and speed of flooding to adjacent and surrounding properties. Demonstration that residual risks of flooding (after existing and proposed flood management and mitigation measures are taken into account) are acceptable. Management and mitigation risks may include flood defences, flood resistant and resilient design, escape/evacuation, flood warning and emergency planning, robust infrastructure and utility provision
  4. For Zone 2 sites: No suitable Zone 1 sites available. Development proposal includes “highly vulnerable” uses. Proposed development passes the Exception test set out in PPS 25, and meets the requirements of (B) above #For Zone 3a sites: No suitable Zone 1 or 2 sites available. Development includes “more vulnerable” uses (but not “highly vulnerable” uses). Proposed development passes the Exception test set out in PPS 25, and meets the requirements of© above

NB: Essential infrastructure developments of the type acceptable in Zone 3b is unlikely to be covered by this checklist

Targets and Justification

Best
A
Good
B or C
Minimum
D or E

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.2

Objective

To increase the percentage of timber used in construction sourced from sustainably managed and temperate independently certified sources. Recognised accreditations include the Forest Stewardship Council Certification Scheme and Pan European Forest Certification.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

What proportion of timber used in the construction will be from an accredited source?

Targets and Justification

Best
100% from FSC/ PEFC source
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.3

Objective

Re-use of contaminated land in an appropriate and sustainable manner.

Importance: Importance

Question

How has the site been remediated?

  1. Prevent generation of waste
  2. In-situ remediation treatment (excluding capping systems)
  3. Ex-situ treatment at the site of generation or off site treatment facility and return for re-use where feasible
  4. On site containment or capping
  5. Off-site disposal to landfill facility

Targets and Justification

Best
A
Good
B
Minimum
C, D or E

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.4

Objective

To ensure that the environmental infrastructure is planned and built prior to the development to prevent any deleterious effects on the water environment (including groundwater) e.g water resources, sewerage, waste water treatment/disposal and contaminated surface water.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

Has the necessary water supply, waste water treatment/disposal and waste water infrastructure been secured to avoid unacceptable damage to the water environment?

Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines

Targets and Justification

Best
Development creates opportunity for future development without any adverse effect on the water environment by the use of innovative design. E.g. the use of reed beds for waste water treatment with enough space for an extension to the reed bed.
Good
Compliance with the guidance laid down in relevant Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines for the proposed activity on site
Minimum
Infrastructure capacity demonstrated to provide water supply and wastewater treatment/disposal techniques that ensure full compliance with regulatory controls of discharges to and abstractions from the water environment

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.5

Objective

To develop a sustainable water efficiency strategy at a masterplanning level for the whole site, to include Grade A appliances, low use taps/toilet/bath/shower.

Importance: Importance

Question

How will the development sustainably meet the required water demands placed upon the environment by the site?

Targets and Justification

Best
Rain water harvesting and re-use at individual building level
Good
Water demand minimised through water efficiency and rainwater harvested for re-use on the site
Minimum
Appliance water efficiency measures implemented

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.6

Objective

To reduce the impact of air contamination from the development (during construction and occupancy) on neighbouring areas.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

Are any of the neighbouring populated areas likely to suffer moderate or poor air quality as a result of the development?

Targets and Justification

Best
Transport modelled and emissions mitigation designed in to prevent adverse air quality as part of large developments
Good
Considerate constructers scheme implemented
Minimum
Considered through impact analysis

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.7

Objective

To minimise / manage the waste produced on site to limit diversion to landfill.

Importance: Importance

Question

Prior to construction commencement, will a site waste management plan be produced by the developer for construction of the site, to limit the on and off site environmental impacts of construction?

Targets and Justification

Best
Use of benchmarking and measuring tools (e.g.SMARTWaste or equivalent), with provision of training and awareness raising for onsite waste management
Good
Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) which incorporates final reporting of waste management performance (with respect to recycled and secondary materials, waste reduction, segregation, recovery and disposal) and cost savings identified
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard - need to check that waste management scheme is included within waste management stream separation

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.8

Objective

To maximise the role played by secondary and recycled sources of aggregates in meeting the Region's sustainable resource management requirements, for both new build and refurbishment projects.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

What proportion of construction aggregates used in the entire development will be from secondary or recycled sources?

Targets and Justification

Best
>60%
Good
60%
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.9

Objective

To allow for storage of recyclables and composting in occupied buildings prior to collection and remove the need for frequent journeys to the local recycling facilities.

Importance: Importance

Question

Has appropriate space been made available for the storage of recyclables in or around each building?

Targets and Justification

Best
Appropriate containers with lids provided in designated space within building as well as either minimum or good practice
Good
Appropriate containers with lids provided in designated space in a nearby building less than 10m walk from external door
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Development sizes

The checklist has been split into three different versions for different sizes of development:

Small
Up to 10 buildings
(up to 1000m²/0.5ha)
Medium
11 - 199 buildings
(up to 20000m²/10ha)
Large
200 - 5,999 dwellings
(over 20000m²/10ha)

If the development is for more than 6,000 houses, we recommend a bespoke checklist should be produced by the developer and local authority.

The set of questions for smaller developments is contained within the set of questions for larger developments.