Resources

Managing waste effectively can save money and reduce landfill waste. Segregating waste enables it to be easily reused on other sites, which if based nearby, will reduce travelling to landfill sites. The South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) contains a large section on waste management giving good advice for what can be done to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill:

‘Proposals by established businesses to provide facilities for the on-site minimisation, re-use or recycling of wastes created by their business premises should be approved, subject to other policies and proposals to establish waste minimisation, re-use and recycling industries in recognised industrial areas should be approved, subject to other policies.’ SW Regional Spatial Strategy Part 7: Enhancing Distinctive Environments and Cultural Life (7.4.13)

Waste reduction is also a consideration with choosing materials for a new development. Specifying timber from sustainably managed sources and with accredited certifications, such as the Forest Stewardship Council Certification, will bring a new development status and interest from buyers. A building made from sustainably produced materials will form the base for sustainable community living.

Communities can also get involved in reducing and recycling waste by providing areas for waste segregation and composting within a new development.

Preservation is key to resources. Protecting the quality of ground water, aquifers and watercourses during and after construction, preserving archeologically important features and reusing materials on-site are just a few examples of how preservation enters countless areas.

This category will address:

• Protecting historic and archaeologically important features and their settings
• Reducing the environmental impact of the materials used in construction of the public realm and infrastructure
• Reducing the development’s demand for fresh water and protecting groundwater and aquifers
• Designing for noise minimisation
• Minimising waste

Useful links:

• Future Foundations
• Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) – Waste and Minerals
• WRAP
• Green Guide to Specification
• Forest Stewardship Council
• Pilot study on low allergy housing
• Historic Environment, Local Management – explains how to seek advice on particular planning applications
• Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPS) – See relevant local authority web page
• Forestry Commission
• English Nature
• Environment Agency – Southern England Water Resources Strategy
• Southern Water: reducing water use
• Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management
• Department of Health: Noise issues
• Institute of Maintenance and Building Management

Policy Links

RPG

• EN3: THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT.
• RE1: WATER RESOURCES AND WATER QUALITY,
• RE4: USE AND SUPPLY OF AGGREGATES.
• RE5: MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF WASTE.

RSDF

• 4.1: PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION AND WISE USE OF LAND AND OTHER RESOURCES IN THE REGION.
• 7.3: PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE REGIONS URBAN AND RURAL LANDSCAPES
• 10.1: REDUCE POLLUTION AND IMPROVE WATER, LAND AND AIR QUALITY.
• 10.3: PROMOTE THE WISE USE OF WASTE RESOURCES WHILST REDUCING WASTE PRODUCTION AND DISPOSAL

RSS

• RES1
• RES2