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 heritage or archaeologically important features are conserved or preserved if present.

Importance: Importance

Question

What will happen to heritage/archaeologically important features and their settings on the site?

Targets and Justification

Best
--- No standard identified
Good
Both protected and enhanced either physically or through public access/interpretation
Minimum
Important features are identified and protected

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.2

Objective

To increase the volume of low environmental impact materials used during the construction of the infrastructure and public realm of developments.

Importance: Importance

Question

What proportion by mass of total building materials for the public realm and infrastructure have been specified as either: low environmental impact (Green Guide “A” or “B”, or equivalent standard), reclaimed or recycled or reused, locally sourced materials?

Targets and Justification

Best
>80% green guide A or B rated or equivalent
Good
50-80% Green Guide A or B rated or equivalent
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.3

Objective

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

Importance: Importance

Question

What proportion of timber used in the construction of infrastructure and the public realm will be from an accredited FSC and PERC sustainable source?

Targets and Justification

Best
100% FSC/ PEFC
Good
75% from FSC/ PEFC source and balance from temperate sources
Minimum
50% from FSC/ PEFC source

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.4

Objective

To ensure that the quality of ground water, water courses or aquifers is protected both during construction and when the site is completed.

Importance: Importance

Question

What steps have been taken to protect the quality of groundwater and / or water courses from contaminated run-off?

  1. Design measures included to filter and clean water run-off from completed site (to include storm drains and SUDS components) before discharge and return to natural water cycle.
  2. Pollution management strategy for construction period which explicitly sets out measures to prevent pollution of water courses through contaminated water run-off.

Targets and Justification

Best
A and B
Good
A or B
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.5

Objective

To promote increased levels of kitchen and garden/ landscaping composting.

Importance: Importance

Question

What facilities are provided to enable on-site composting of appropriate kitchen and/or garden waste?

Targets and Justification

Best
Community based composting site provided, and compost available to local residents
Good
Community-based composting site provided
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Small, Medium and Large developments.

Question 6.6

Objective

To allow for storage of recyclables 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 locations accessible to collection vehicles, within the site?

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
Appropriate containers with lids provided outside, in designated space within building curtilage

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

Will a site waste management plan be produced by the developer, prior to commencement of work on site, to limit the environmental impact of construction activities?

Targets and Justification

Best
As good practice, with 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

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 dwellings
Medium
11 - 999 dwellings
Up to 999 dwellings (mixed use)
Large
1,000 - 5,999 dwellings
1,000 - 5,999 dwellings (mixed)

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.