BY CLLR. MALCOM CRESSEY
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) promotes the radical reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, minimising vulnerability and providing resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Runnymede Borough Council require developments to implement sustainable design measures that mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Specifically, development proposals will be supported by Runnymede Borough Council where they:
- Incorporate measures for the secure storage of cycles and storage of waste including recyclable waste;
- Protect existing biodiversity and include opportunities to achieve net gains in biodiversity as well as greening of the urban environment;
- Maximises opportunities for passive solar gain and passive cooling through the orientation and layout of development;
- Incorporate electrical vehicle charging points where feasible;
- Achieve water efficiency of 110 litres per person per day and where feasible provide rainwater harvesting techniques;
- Reasonably meet the needs of occupants with differing needs, including some older or disabled people and allow adaptation of the dwelling to meet the changing needs of occupants over time including wheelchair access.
- Incorporate sustainable construction and demolition techniques including the re-use of demolition waste at source or its separation and collection for recycling.
The evidence shows that implementing these measures will not disproportionately add to development costs or threaten competitive returns.
In fact, it is clear to see that any negative perceptions about green buildings are no longer valid and the main drivers behind that fact are the unquestionable economic benefit. The list goes on and on: lower operating costs, increased property values, increased attractiveness for future tenants, waste reduction, and increased occupant productivity to name but a few.
The only question that remains is if environmentally sustainable design and construction is comparable in cost to non-green buildings and there is significant long-term benefits, why wouldn’t developers take the eco-friendly approach to building?