Guide to sustainable development - Southampton to... · 2020-04-30 · •City of Southampton...

Guide to sustainable developmentPractical guidance for developers on achieving high quality design and construction This guidance document complements the Southampton sustainability checklist to provide backgroundinformation on the key sustainability issues to be addressed in planning applications

For more information and further copies of this report please contact: Helen Krzanowski, Sustainable Development Advisor, 023 80 83 [email protected]://www.southampton.gov.uk/environment/development-control/planning-application-forms

Contents

1. User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

2. Assessing Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

3. The Sustainable Development Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

4. The Business Case for Sustainable Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

5. Energy Efficiency & Low and Zero Carbon Energy Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

6. Water Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

7. Sustainable Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

8. Waste and Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

9. Site Layout and Building Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

10. Biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

11. Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

I. Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

II. Appendix 1: Sustainable Design Features, Indicative Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

III. Appendix 2: City of Southampton Local Plan Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

VI. Appendix 3: Policy Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

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1. User Guide

1.1 ContextGlobal environmental issues are a product of humanactivities at a local scale. The nature in which weconsume our natural resources is not only depletingtheir finite supply at an unsustainable rate, but alsocontributing to wider social, economic, andenvironmental impacts. Southampton aspires tomaintain economic growth and employment butdevelopment must be sustainable in order to ensureeffective protection of the environment, prudent useof natural resources, and social progress thatrecognises the needs of everyone. Achieving moresustainable patterns of development thereforerequires an integrated approach with activecommitment from many sectors. The developmentdesign process must consider a wide range of topics.Ideally, all new buildings should be designed to takeaccount of their impact on the environment, locallyand globally, respect the natural environment, anduse only sustainable natural resources.

1.2 Purpose of this Guide The purpose of this document is to help developersto deliver sustainable design by supplyinginformation on the issues that need considerationand the methods and techniques they can employ.Minimum standards are required through buildingregulations, but sustainable construction mustexceed such standards in order to make significantchanges in the way we use resources.

1.3 FormatThe guide is structured into main sections coveringissues of energy efficiency and zero or low carbonsources, water efficiency, sustainable construction,building design and layout, waste and recycling,biodiversity, and transport. These topics all relate topolicies contained in the City of Southampton LocalPlan. The document can be read as a whole toobtain a comprehensive overview of what can andshould be done in development. Alternatively, eachsection is designed to work on its own as an advicesheet on particular aspects of Sustainable Design.

Each section contains:

• An Introduction - explaining the issue, its environmental consequences, and the need for action.

• A Policy Framework section - listing the relevantpolicies and legislation from local to national level.

• Descriptions of sustainable design features andprocesses - these sections also outline the context,in which different design features should beconsidered, and in which they are feasible.

• Best Practice Examples - the majority of which aretaken from the city of Southampton itself, thatillustrate the potential to realise sustainable designand the benefits that flow from it for residents,developers and society as a whole.

• Further Information - each advice sheet concludeswith a list of sources that provide furtherinformation on sustainability and details ontechnical aspects of the sustainable design.

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2. Assessing Sustainability

2.1 Introduction Measuring levels of sustainability is a complicatedissue. However, standards of good practice andachievable targets have been set through existingpolicy. In terms of building design there are severalwidely accepted methods of assessment that can beused to determine relative levels of sustainability inrelation to social, economic, and environmentalaspects.

2.2 Environmental Assessment ToolsEco-FootprintingAn Ecological Footprint is a quantitative calculationof resource consumption and production. Themethodological output gives a reflection of the areaof land that would be required to support thecurrent resource flows, which can then be comparedto a theoretical benchmark land area that reflects asustainable level of raw material use. This isgenerally a useful tool for policy-makers to assessthe impact of large-scale development proposals.

Eco-Homes & BREEAMThe BREEAM standard is based on a range ofqualitative ratings used for new and existing officebuildings. An equivalent standard (Eco-Homes) hasalso been devised for use on residential buildings.The standard is being increasingly used in regionaland local planning policy for housing developmentas a reference for the minimum requirements (suchas the ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ rating) for allnew buildings.

South East England Development Agency(SEEDA) Sustainability ChecklistSEEDA has produced a checklist that relates regionalpolicy on creating sustainable communities topractical objectives that can guide the process ofdevelopment design.

Whole Life CostingThe whole-life costs of a facility (often referred to asthrough-life costs) are the costs of acquiring it(including consultancy, design and constructioncosts, and equipment), the costs of operating it, andthe costs of maintaining it over its whole life throughto its disposal - that is, the total ownership costs.

These costs include internal resources anddepartmental overheads, where relevant; they alsoinclude risk allowances as required; flexibility(predicted alterations for known change in businessrequirements, for example), refurbishment costs andthe costs relating to sustainability, and health andsafety aspects. Some approaches only consider thefinancial cost in use/operation which are usuallymore tangible, easier to quantify, and are perceivedas of most relevance to owners and tenants. Othersaim to consider are the wider financial, social, andenvironmental costs. These are harder to quantifybut provide a truer reflection of the real costs of adevelopment.

2.3 Further Information • BREEAM & EcoHomes

www.bream.org

• SEEDA checklistwww.seeda.co.uk

• Whole Life Costswww.leicesterbetterbuildings.org.uk

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3. The Sustainable Development Process

• Appoint ecologist

• Appoint environmentalconsultant

• Is there scope for renewables?

• Location:Public transport and utilities

• Set BREEAM target

• Analysis of site conditions e.g.,• Geology• Ecology• Contamination• Micro climate• Noise• Pollution• Sun Orientation• Access• Overshadowing• Water sources & drainage

• Appoint BREEAMassessors/sustainability advisor

• Design to reduce energy needs: • Building orientation• Specification of services e.g.,

heating, ventilation, lighting,water

• Maximise daylight• Maximise passive features

(e.g. solar gain, passiveventilation

• Heat recovery & high insulation• Renewable energy sources -

solar, sun, wind, & water• Material specifications –

sustainable materials (i.e. lowembodied energy, timber, clay,plant based materials, non-toxic materials & finishes,recycled materials)

• Cycle storage space• Off-site construction?

• Commission of services

• ‘Considerate ConstructorsScheme’ or other independentlyassessed local scheme

• Minimise waste & redundancy ofmaterials

• Off-site construction

• Use of local suppliers

• Aims of design & planningcommunicated to site manageror project manager to ensuretheir acknowledgementthroughout the process & theirachievement

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Feasibility

• Environmental policies

• Waste management & recycling

• Monitor energy

• Monitor water

• Maintenance

• Transport policies

• Occupant satisfaction

Building Operation

• Reclamation and reuse ofmaterials

• Recycling

• Reduce redundancy of materials

• Reduce disturbance toneighbours – hours of operation

• Wildlife habitats – prevent harm

Demolition

Design & Planning Construction

Source: http://www.breeam.org.uk

4. The Business Case forSustainable Design

4.1 Introduction Research carried out by CABE, the WWF, and theHalifax in July 2004 found that 84% of peoplesurveyed would be willing to pay an average of 2%extra on the purchase price of their home if it wasenvironmentally sound. The same research foundthat 87% of buyers want to know if their homes areenvironmentally friendly.

4.2 The Benefits for Developer ofSustainable Urban Design: • Reducing the overhead costs of development

through measures such as resource efficiency

• Raising the profile and increasing the ability to sellor let the development

• Meeting the consumer demands of a growing‘green’ market

• Ensuring smoother and speedier progress throughthe planning system

• Increasing land and property values

• Developing a strong marketable image for the area

• Providing a high quality and healthy environmentthat attracts more residents, businesses, customers,and tourists

• Providing high quality working environments thathelp attract and retain employees

• Minimising any potential litigation insurance risk

(Source: www.leicesterbetterbuildings.org.uk)

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5. Energy Efficiency & Low and ZeroCarbon Energy Sources

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5.1 IntroductionThe use of fuels that release greenhouse gases(including water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane,and nitrous oxide, and aerosols) has significanteffects and impacts on the environment and society,particularly due to their contribution to climatechange. Climate change is widely recognised as themost serious environmental threat to our planet.Left unchecked, it will have a profound effect onweather patterns globally. It is likely that the UK willexperience more severe weather events andincreased rainfall, storms, floods, and gales.

In the UK, 27% of the total carbon emissions aregenerated from homes. Efficiency savings are crucialto meet national targets for reducing greenhouse gasemissions and to decrease EU dependence onimported energy sources. The largest proportion ofenergy demand in a building arises during itsoperational activities. In a typical house, 40% ofheat loss is through the walls and loft. However,buildings can be designed and built to reduceenergy usage and energy loss. Energy efficientmeasures that reduce heating, hot water, andlighting loads, can be installed that also maximisecost effectiveness.

5.2 Policy Framework• Planning Policy Statement 22 ‘Renewable Energy’

• Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

• Draft South East Plan 2006 – Policy EN1‘Development Design for Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy’

• City of Southampton adopted Local Plan 2006 –Policies: SDP 13 ‘Resource Conservation’, SDP 14‘Renewable Energy

5.3 Energy EfficiencyMeasures that help to save and efficiently use energywithin developments include:

• Controlled use of heat and ventilation systems.

• Double glazed windows.

• Draught proofing (airtight construction).

• Greywater systems

• Insulation – cavity wall, floors, roof, tank & pipe, & loft.

• Sensible use of machinery and appliances.

• Use of energy efficient lighting i.e. light fittings,light bulbs, light switches and controls (timed, andmovement or light detecting shut-off devices suchas Passive Infra Red sensors (PIR)), and low energybulbs (e.g. low energy compact florescent lamps(CFLs) use one fifth of the energy of conventionaltungsten filament bulbs.

• Use of energy efficient appliances, for example, useof ‘A*’ or ‘A++’ EU rated domestic appliances, orhigh efficiency condensing boiler with the correctheating controls.

• Design buildings designed to optimise their passiveenergy gain.

• Design buildings to optimise natural lighting, forexample using light wells.

• Use of zoning & metering, for example, ZonedHeating Controls can be used in industrial andcommercial operations, and sub metering of gasand electricity allows managers and tenants toestablish major users of energy and where possiblealter operational procedures to minimiseconsumption.

• Energy generated by renewable & low- or zero-carbon emitting resources.

5.4 Low or Zero Carbon EnergySources (LZC energy source)LZC energy sources are increasingly being installedin buildings. The use of these sources helps toachieve target carbon emissions for differentbuilding types. LZC energy sources can delivercarbon emissions reduction in the range of 10-20%and several can deliver much larger reductions. Avariety of these sources are outlined below.

Absorption cooling Absorption cooling is most likely to be applicable tolarge buildings and highly serviced spaces requiringfull air-conditioning.


Combined Heat and Power (CHP)CHP is the simultaneous generation of power anduseful heat in a single efficient process, whichsecures environmental benefits and therebycontributes to sustainability. In a conventionalpower station only part of the input energy isconverted to electricity, the rest is wasted as heatthat is lost to the surroundings. In CHP systems, thewaste heat is recovered to supply heat or hot waterto nearby buildings. Therefore, it is particularlyapplicable to community heating networks and theoverall efficiency is much higher than inconventional power stations.

There is a wide range of sizes, fuels, andtechnologies, which may be used. Typical largefossil-fuelled CHP schemes achieve a thermalefficiency of greater than 75%. CHP can improve thesustainability benefits of power generation schemesbased on renewable and waste energy sources suchas geothermal or biomass. CHP is suitable forheating and hot water for an individual dwelling orlarger scale, non-domestic or mixed useapplications.

Southampton has a CHP district heating and chillingscheme, which serves more than 20 majorcommercial and residential consumers in the citycentre. Although currently the Southampton schemeis fuelled by natural gas there is opportunity to usegeothermal. Southampton City Council and Utilicomare looking at alternative sources of energy toincrease the proportion of renewable input. A newCHP station is proposed for Millbrook, which willprovide heat and hot water to approximately 3,450homes and businesses in the Millbrook and Maybushareas.

It is a requirement of SDP13 of the City ofSouthampton Local Plan, that the use of CHP orDistrict Heating and Chilling schemes areincorporated into new developments, wherepossible. It is crucial that the use of CHP isconsidered at an early stage in the developmentprocess to ensure that the scheme is designed toenable the success of the technology.

Community heating is best suited to high-densityhousing because the cost of mains installation perunit decreases as density increases. High-densitydevelopments that are close to existing communityheating networks will be even more cost effective.Whilst the capital costs associated with CHP tend tobe higher than the installation of individual systems,long-term financial benefits come from reducedWhole Life Cycle Costing. Decisions should be madebased on whole life costs as opposed to the cheapestcapital costs.

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Best Practice Example 1: Park View, Southampton (Barratt Homes)

Barratt Homes Park View apartments were thefirst new private housing development of its typein the UK to use community heating byconnecting to the Southampton District EnergyScheme. The development comprises of 108apartments in a building, which ranges from 6 to8 storeys in height.

Barratt Homes worked in partnership with theSouthampton Geothermal Heating Company(SGHC), which is the company that developed,manages, and operates the Southampton scheme.SGHC was set up and is owned by the energymanagement company Utilicom. SGHC works inpartnership with Southampton City Council.

The benefits of using the scheme were as follows:

• Using community heating in the Park Viewdevelopment reduced capital costs and allowedbetter use of space.

• Barratt estimate that using community heatingsaved them £300 per dwelling. The savingscame from avoiding the costs of installingindividual boilers, avoiding the costs of gasmains connection, and not having to installbrickwork to conceal gas risers.

• The absence of a boiler or storage tank freed upspace, allowing the installation of additionalkitchen units and cupboards.


CHP (Micro CHP) The capacity to deliver emission reductions will varywith CHP technology. Small Stirling engine unitswill typically produce around 10-20% of their outputas electricity (usually 1-1.5kW). When such units areapplied in a single dwelling they can deliver acarbon emissions reduction of 11% in new build and11-12% in retrofit applications. Internal combustionengines produce higher electrical output but areusually larger in size and unlikely to be applicable tonew build single dwellings. When applied to groupsof dwellings or small non-domestic applicationsinternal combustion units can deliver a carbonemissions reduction of around 16%.

Ground Source Cooling Ground source cooling uses the relatively constantground temperature to provide summertime coolingthrough ground heat exchangers (air-to-ground orwater-to-ground). It is most likely to be applicableto large buildings and highly serviced spacesrequiring full air-conditioning.

Ground Source Heat PumpsGround source heat pumps make use of energystored in the Earth’s crust coming mainly from solarradiation. Essentially, heat pumps take heat atcertain temperature and release it at a highertemperature. This is achieved by means of groundcollectors (coils), in which heat exchange fluidcirculates and transfers heat via a heat exchanger tothe heat pump.

Solar Water HeatingSolar water heating or solar thermal/hot watersystems are a well-established renewable energysystem in many countries. It is appropriate forresidential and non-residential applications. For asingle typical house, a suitable system would occupy2.5 - 4m2 of roof space. It uses the energy from thesun to heat water. In the UK this it is mostcommonly used for hot water needs. The systemsuse a heat collector in which a fluid is heated by thesun. This fluid is used to heat up water that isstored in a separate hot water cylinder inside thebuilding.

The collectors can be bolted onto a roof and looksimilar to roof lights. Ideally, they should bemounted on a south-facing roof, although south-eastor south-west will also function successfully. Thesystem works in difficult light conditions.

Wind turbines(building mounted wind energy generators)A wind turbine installation can be sized to generatecarbon zero electricity to a level equivalent to anypercentage of the total carbon emissions of anassociated building subject to there being a suitablelocation for a turbine of the appropriate size. Todeliver a 10% carbon emissions reduction in a newbuild dwelling would require a turbine in the range0.1-0.3 kW and 20% would require double this size.To deliver a 10% carbon emissions reduction in a3,000m2 office would require an installation in 6-32kW range for a new build. The location of a turbinein these size ranges would require carefulconsideration.

Photovoltaics (PV) (solar electric) orSolar Technology PV or Solar Technology are arrays of cells consistingof one or two layers of a semi-conducting material,which convert daylight and direct sunlight intoelectricity. A PV installation can be sized to generatecarbon zero electricity to a level equivalent to anypercentage of the total carbon emissions of thebuilding subject to there being sufficient suitablesurface area to mount the required area of PV. Todeliver a 10% carbon emissions reduction in a newbuild dwelling would require an installation in 0.3-

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• There were no flues or pipe work to detractfrom the aesthetic appearance of thedevelopment.

• The dwellings are more energy efficient leadingto higher SAP ratings.

• The improved environmental performance isgood for the image of the company amongstcustomers and the community.

• The Park View development is used in companypublicity.

(Source: http://www.est.org.uk/bestpractice/uploads/publications/pdfs/gpcs400.pdf)


0.5 kW peak range occupying no more than 5m2 ofsuitable orientated roof and 20% would requiredouble this size area.

PV’s should be located facing towards the south,although systems can still produce 82% of theiroptimum output when facing east or west. PVsystems should not be over-shadowed.

A main consideration of PV’s is their visual impact.However, they come in a variety of forms andcolours, which means that they can be fullyintegrated into the building fabric. The visual impactwill also be dependent on the size of the array andthis will be determined by the energy requirementsof the user.

Energy Management PlansAn energy management plan is the means by whichenergy efficiency can be maximised from new orexisting developments. The first step to energymanagement is to conduct an energy audit in orderto develop a detailed understanding of energy usagethroughout the buildings and to assess energyperformance and then to identify further energyefficiency and saving opportunities by implementingthe measures outlined above and educating peopleto change their behaviour in terms of energy use.

BenefitsThe running costs of developments can be greatlyreduced by the implementation of energy savingmeasures. The installation of devices need not bemore expensive (see Appendix 1: Costing.)Developments with comprehensive EnergyManagement Plans can attract prospective tenants byreducing operating costs, and the ability to fulfilcorporate and social responsibilities.

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Best Practice Example 3: Portswood SUN Centre, Southampton (Hyde Housing Association and Southampton City Council)

The development of five new affordable homesplus a visitor centre, has not only created anattractive place to live for people who were inhousing need, but has helped to increase energyefficiency locally, and promote the importance ofsustainability across the city. Energy efficientmeasures included solar panels, increasedefficiency double-glazing, additional loftinsulation, energy efficient light fittings, and‘White’ goods with ‘A’ rating for energyefficiency.

Occupant behaviour has a significant impact onenergy use. The residents of the two timberframe units (although living in identical houses)had different energy costs. As a result residentsare now advised of the cost implications ofheating their homes above a ‘standard level’.

Best Practice Example 2: Chapel Road, Southampton (Persimmon Homes)

The development consists of 174 dwellingsconstructed on a 1.99 hectare brownfield site. In order to try to achieve an EcoHomes rating of“Very Good” it was decided to use solar panelsas an alternative source of energy.

Support for the scheme was obtained fromSEEDA and applications were made to the EnergySaving Trust and the Department for Trade andIndustry.

The c.£300,000 solar scheme is currently beingimplemented in the first phase of thedevelopment. The system will serve all 174dwellings in terms of lighting all communalareas and undercroft parking. Some communalheaters will also be powered by the system. Therange for units on-site covers 80kw, 123kw,125kw, and 165kw. Excess power generated willbe sold to the national grid, with the value beingoffset against service charges.

Swaythling Housing Society has also included afactor in their service charges to cover longer-term repair or replacement of the system, whichis a crucial aspect to ensure the successfulimplementation of the scheme.


5.5 Further InformationBuilding with vision:• Low Carbon Building Design Advice Services from

the Carbon Trust – Offer free or subsidisedconsultancy advice for projects > 2,500 m2 or formultiple projects.0800 085 2005www. thecarbontrust.co.uk/buildingdesign

Energy Saving:• ‘General Information Leaflet 72’ of the Housing

Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme has a“Best Practice” insulation standard for new homes.

• www.est.org.uk

Renewable technologies & energy:• www.enthuse.info

• www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/index.html

• www.nef.org.uk/greenenergy/index.htm

• ‘Energy and Waste in an Age of Excess: A FutureLaboratory Report for the Energy Saving Trust’(October 2005)

Combined Heat and Power:• www.chpa.co.uk/

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6. Water Efficiency

6.1 IntroductionThe UK population has remained relatively stablesince the 1960s, yet in the 2000s we use 70 per centmore water per person. Forecasts indicate that thisupward trend will continue. This is mainly due to theuse of water-intensive appliances such as washingmachines, dishwashers and power showers. Waterresources face growing pressure from increasingdemand arising from existing and new development,exacerbated by changes to the climate and rainfallpatterns. Southampton relies entirely on the RiverTest and River Itchen (designated Sites of SpecialScientific Interest/Special Area of Conservation) forwater supply so efficient use of water is vital.Ensuring that new development has adequate supplyand is water efficient is therefore a key challenge forthe city. There are many ways to reduce our demandon mains water:

• Reducing water usage through the installation ofwater efficient appliances, low-flow taps, low-volume capacity baths and dual-flush toilets

• Using alternative sources of water such asrainwater

• Recycling water that is used in homes

The problem with the traditional system of drainageis the rapid transmission of rainfall runoff intosurface watercourses. This contributes to urbanflooding and damages the natural ecosystem as thesurface water drains and takes pollutants directly toa watercourse.

6.2 Policy Framework• Planning Policy Guidance 25 ‘Development &

Flood Risk’

• Planning Policy Guidance 20 ‘Coastal Planning’

• Draft South East Plan 2006 – Policies: NRM1‘Sustainable Water Resources Groundwater andRiver Water Quality Management’ and NRM3‘Sustainable Flood Risk Management’

• City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 – Policies: SDP13 ‘Resource Conservation’ and ‘SDP 20 Flood Riskand Coastal Protection’

6.3 Measures to Improve Water EfficiencyWater Management PlansWater management plans are an undertaking thatrun with a development site to implement watersaving measures, and to ensure that those measuresare implemented and operated effectively. A watermanagement plan can enable businesses to reducewater consumption by up to 80 per cent. To producean effective water management plan it is necessary to:

• Identify the true costs of water

• Identify water-use, re-assess water-use

• Identify and evaluate water efficiency measures

• Implement your plan and report results

By comparing the net annual savings with thecapital costs (one-off purchase and installationcosts), the simple payback period can be identified.Frequent meter reading is essential not only toquantify consumption, but also to understandseasonal variations and identify leaks. In largeorganisations with major water-using departments,the installation of sub-meters should be consideredto identify how much of the total water use eachdepartment is responsible for. This can be extremelyuseful in encouraging staff to achieve greater waterefficiency as costs are passed on.

Water Efficiency DevicesThere are many zero or low cost actions that cansubstantially reduce water consumption and usewater more efficiently:

• Push taps

• Flow regulators and restrictors

• Cistern displacement devices such as Hippo andSave-a-Flush reduce the volume of water requiredto fill a toilet cistern by up to 3 litres per flush(they are often available free of charge from watercompanies.)

• Spray nozzles

• Low flush toilets

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6. Water Efficiency

• Dual flush toilets

• Sensor urinal flushing controls

• Insulate all pipework to protect against frost damage

• Fit spray taps to outdoor hoses

• Collect rainwater

Developers should investigate opportunities for re-using water and consider alternative water sourcese.g., rainwater harvesting and greywater recyclingsuch as closed-loop recycling or counter-currentrinsing. Their suitability depends on many factorsincluding building type, budget and payback periodsrequired. Consideration should be given to the use of:

• Low and dual-flush toilets if replacing existingunits. The maximum cistern volume of new toiletsis 6 litres, compared with 9 litres for older models.

• Supply restrictor valves are easily fitted to supplypipes and keep the water flow constant, regardlessof fluctuations in water pressure.

• Tap controls are an easy and cheap way of reducingwater consumption and are available in both new andretrofit versions. Different types include infra-red,battery operated, simple push-top & and spray taps.

• Urinal controls can be retrofitted to existing urinals,ensuring that the cistern only flushes during officehours, or after use, rather than continuously

• Waterless urinals use either a symphonic trap or anoutlet in the urinal containing a pad impregnatedwith a deodorising agent.

• Washroom control systems not only limit hot and coldwater supply, but also control lighting and ventilation,therefore providing additional energy savings

Rainwater Harvesting • Rainwater harvesting systems can be fitted into

new or existing buildings in order that rainwatercan be collected from the roofs of building or therun-off from hard standings and used in purposessuch as irrigation or the flushing of WC’s/

• Collecting rainwater in water butts can reduce theneed for mains supply water when watering

external plants and washing down vehicles.

• Savings achieved by rainwater harvesting will begreater in larger buildings such as industrial unitsor education establishments since these typicallyhave larger roof areas and a greater water demand.

• Methods of collection can range from a simplewater butt, to the use of a complete system, whichincludes treatment, storage, and pumping of waterto appliances.

• Details can be found on the following link:http://www.rainharvesting.co.uk/index.htm

(source:harvestingwater.com)

Greywater RecyclingGrey water systems reduce the need to use freshwater and therefore reduce household water billsand pressure on pubic water supply. Grey waterrecycling allows the wastewater from showers, bathsand washbasins to be collected at a household scaleand reused for laundry, toilet flushing and theirrigation of plants. The filtration of, or anothersuitable treatment method for, the grey water isnecessary to remove particles of soap, dirt and othercontaminants from grey water.

Grey water systems in business premises can providelow running costs. This can have an effect on theability to sell a property since reducing overheads isa much easier way of maintaining or improving netprofit than increasing company productivity.

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Best Practice Example 4: Portswood SUN Centre, Hyde HousingAssociation and Southampton City Council

The sustainable and ‘green’ features includedsolar panels, and rainwater harvesting. Therainwater recycling system was successful insignificantly reducing water use. The use ofrainwater recycling led to water savings ofbetween 25% and 45% in four out of the fiveunits. As a result, Hyde are now consideringrainwater recycling in all new developmentswhere feasible.

6. Water Efficiency

6.4 DrainageWhen designing drainage systems for developmentsthe following must be considered:

• The need to avoid runoff if possible (allowing toinfiltrate the ground).

• Slow the runoff process (which includes theprovision of additional storage).

• Manage runoff as close as possible to the point oforigin (that is, keep things small and local).

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SDS)Sustainable Drainage Systems use a range oftechniques to manage surface water as close to itssource as possible. By moderating flows and filteringrun-off, Sustainable Drainage Systems can deliverreductions in impacts on our water resources, andimprove the quality of our built environment. SDS are designed to:

• Control the quantity of run-off from a development

• Improve the quality of the run-off

• Enhance the nature conservation, landscape andamenity value of the site and its surroundings.

SDS can be implemented on a range ofdevelopments from small-scale residential, majorresidential and commercial or industrial. They canalso be successfully retrofitted to existingdevelopments. The inclusion of SDS needs to beconsidered early in the site evaluation and planningprocess, as well as at the detailed design stage. It iscrucial to consider in the early stages of design, thearrangements for adoption and future maintenanceof the system. This is likely to influence the designjust as much as the technical considerations. It isimportant that developers establish the soilconditions and hydrology of their site at an earlystage in the planning process. The results of suchinvestigations should be provided to the planningauthority with the proposals for a drainage systemincluded with the planning application.

There are various different types of sustainabledrainage systems:

• Permeable Pavements

• Swales & basins

• Infiltration trenches and filter drains

• Ponds & wetlands

Most of the rain that falls on cities lands onimpervious surfaces, such as roads, where it absorbspollutants before it finally drains away. Theincorporation of permeable surface materials onroads and driveways will reduce the amount ofsurface run off within an area. This will benefit thelocal water supply, through the limiting of pollutantsin water collected from surface run off, and enhancethe local water table. Gardens significantly reducedthe concentration of fertilisers, oil and particulatesreaching storm drains and reduce localised floodingby absorbing rain water from heavy downpours. Thisreduces the risk of drains becoming overloaded. Ashallow depression in a garden containing barkmulch and shrubs can remove up to 99% of toxins. Itis important that developments allow for appropriatefiltering of rain water through the maintenance of agarden or the appropriate use of pervious surfaces.

Metering and Sub-metering Wasted water costs many companies as much as 1%of turnover as they pay for its purchase, heating,treatment and disposal. So waste can quite literallybe money down the drain! Metering and submetering of water allows managers and tenants toestablish major users of energy and where possiblealter operational procedures to minimiseconsumption. Having a meter installed means that inaddition to the fixed charge you only pay for thewater you use. This can help save businesses andtenants money and reduce the use of local watersupplies. Provided it is not impracticable oruneconomic for the company to do all meterinstallations are now free. The Government madethis law in April 2000. This extends to householdtenants who do not need to seek their landlord'spermission as long as they have tenancy agreementsof more than 6 months. To find out how you caninstall a water meter contact your local watercompany. (Source: www.southernwater.co.uk &www.ofwat.gov.uk ).

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6. Water Efficiency

6.5 Further Information• The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)

• http://www.dti.gov.uk/construction/sustain/dos.pdf

• www.environment-agency.gov.uk

• Information on Sustainable Drainage Systems fromCIRIA:

• http://www.ciria.org.uk/suds/

• http://www.sepa.org.uk/publications/leaflets/suds/index.htm

• Information on water efficient technologies isavailable from the Environment Agency:

• http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

• An example of good practice from the NationalEnergy Foundation:

• http://www.natenergy.org.uk/phase2.htm#other

• Information on water conservation and rainwaterharvesting systems:

• http://www.rainharvesting.co.uk/index.htm

• www.ciria.org

• www.southernwater.co.uk

• www.ofwat.gov.uk

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7. Sustainable Construction

7.1 IntroductionThe construction process generates a considerablevolume of waste and due to the increasing pressuresfor the construction of new homes and the proposalsfor the growth areas outlined in the SustainableCommunities and South East Plan’s; there is moreneed than ever for Sustainable Construction. Thismeans that materials, construction techniques andthe management of building projects must ensurethat they minimise resource consumption.

Sustainable construction is the focus for all futuredevelopment to minimise resource consumption bothduring development and throughout the buildingslife cycle. The term ‘sustainable construction’ relatesto the issue of sustainable buildings i.e. energyefficient homes and businesses, sustainableoperational considerations and the sustainablesourcing, recycling and disposal of all constructionmaterials and waste. Construction waste accounts forapproximately 50% of UK CO2 emissions; thiscontributes to climate change, the consumption ofnon-renewable resources and adds to pollution. It isimportant that all developments are built as asustainable development to halt the negative effectsof the construction industry on the environment.

Current government legislation requires alldevelopers to dispose of construction waste in asustainable manner. Where possible developers arerequired to source sustainable materials i.e. locallysourced materials and/or sustainable grownmaterials. Building regulations require developers tomeet standards that will result in improved energyefficiency in all new build properties. In addition,there are measures in place to encourage developersto realise the benefits sustainable development canoffer to the developer and the tenant of the building.BREEAM and Ecohomes standards assess theenvironmental efficiency of a development and givethat building a rating. These ratings allow the buyeror tenant of the property to identify theenvironmental rating of the building and arebecoming popular in the marketing of newdevelopments. For further information on BREEAMand Ecohomes assessments visit www.bre.co.uk.

7.2 Policy Framework• National building regulations

• Draft South East Plan 2006 - Policy: CC4‘Sustainable Construction’

• City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 - Policy: SDP13 ‘Resource Conservation’

7.3 Construction MaterialsThe acquisition of materials and the associatedtransportation of these materials can have far-reachingeffects. The use of non-local labour will also impactupon energy use and transport patterns. Materialscausing pollution in manufacture will place anecological burden on the locality and potentially to thewider area. Embodied energy is the total amount ofenergy used in the production, transportation and theeventual disposal of the raw materials of a building.The following criteria can be followed to reduce theembodied energy requirements of a building:

• The raw materials to be used in building should benatural, non-toxic raw materials, from renewableresources and extracted or harvested byenvironmentally sound methods - insulated withcellulose (recycled newspaper).

• Recycled materials should be used where possible.

• Where possible materials should be sourced locally(less than 25 miles).

• The manufacturing process should be non-polluting and safe for the workforce.

• Safe non-toxic use of the building after construction.

• Safe, non-toxic installation or application of theproduct.

• Lowest possible energy requirement for running thecompleted building.

• High level of internal comfort in the completed building.

• Re-usability, recyclability or safe disposal at theend of the building’s or component’s lifetime.

(Source: http://www.sustainable-architecture.org.uk/

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& http://www.greenstreet.org.uk/index.php)

In sourcing materials, it is important to obtain themanufacturer’s technical specifications for thespecific product to ensure they reveal the fullenvironmental credentials. The following linkprovides a directory of suppliers and products_http://greenstreet.wiredesign.net/index.php?ct=20&filters=f1

In addition, the green guide to housing specification& green guide to specification provide a simplemethod of comparing the lifestyle impacts of differentconstruction materials and methods of construction.

Construction TechniquesThere are various construction methods that canensure a more environmental form of construction.Lean construction, for example, describes the processof minimising waste in the construction process.Minimising waste through design means avoidingthe over–specification of materials and services infavour of simplicity (buildability), bearing in mindoperation and maintenance (maintainability), andconsidering flexibility and future re-use(adaptability), so as to minimise construction costs.A number of techniques are described below.

Prefabricated ConstructionUsing prefabrication in a project allows the timespent working on site to be reduced. Careful qualitycontrol of manufacturing processes enables waste tobe controlled and minimised through appropriatedesign and recycling opportunities. In addition, theuse of prefabricated components should cut thevolume of site spoilage associated with currentpractices of over-ordering and poor site handling forthe equivalent traditional processes.

One specific scheme being developed with ECfunding has been quoted as having the followingpotential anticipated benefits:

• 50% reduction in the amount of water used forconstruction of a typical house;

• 50% reduction in the use of quarried materialsused in the construction;

• At least 50% reduction in the energy consumption.

Timber frame ConstructionOne of the most environmentally acceptable materialsused in modern construction is timber. It is natural,organic and non-toxic as well being recyclable,biodegradable and water efficient. It is also renewable;wood can substitute for items produced from non-renewable fossil. Wood is effectively a carbon-neutralmaterial. The carbon is stored in the building; at theend of its life, the wood can be recycled or burned forenergy as a substitute fossil fuel.

Timber has very low embodied energy content:converting timber into a usable building materialgenerates far fewer greenhouse gases than anyother mainstream alternative such as aluminium,steel or concrete. Once installed, wood is anexcellent insulating material and it greatly reducesthe ‘energy footprint’ of a building. Timber, framedhouses are widely recognised as being topperformers in thermal efficiency.

Thermal Mass MasonryBuilding materials that are heavyweight store a lotof heat and are said to have high thermal mass.Materials that are lightweight do not store muchheat and have a lower thermal mass. The use ofheavyweight construction materials with highthermal mass (concrete slab on ground andinsulated brick cavity walls) can reduce total heating

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Best Practice Example 5: Mason Moor, Southampton

• This housing project in the west of the cityconsisted of 33 dwelling units design in a gridpattern layout, based on the Home Zoneprinciples.

• The houses were constructed employingprefabricated construction techniques (usingfloor and wall cassettes) and with timberframes. The scheme succeeded in reducing theamount of construction waste by 20%, will costno more than traditional construction and iswithin 110% of total cost indicator rates. Thedevelopment received an: Echo-Homes: “VeryGood” rating.


and cooling energy requirements by up to 25%compared to a home built of lightweightconstruction materials with a low thermal mass(brick veneer with timber floor).

In hot weather, thermal mass has a lower initialtemperature than the surrounding air and acts as aheat sink. By absorbing heat from the atmospherethe internal air temperature is lower during the day,with the result that comfort is improved without theneed for supplementary cooling

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Completed in 2002, the development includedmany different energy efficiency features as well astwo different forms of construction (timber frameand high thermal mass masonry) to enable Hyde toresearch different building methods and materials.

The development consists of:

• 2 x 3 bed, 5 person houses (timber frame)

• 1 x 3 bed, 5 person house (high thermal massmasonry)

• 2 x studio flats (high thermal mass masonry units)

• 1 x visitor centre (brick build with a grass roof)

The development includes:

• Rainwater recycling

• Solar panels

• Increased thermal efficiency double glazing

• Additional loft insulations

• Minimized car parking (only tow spaces forvisitors)

• Covered, secure cycle store

• Natural wood doors (from a sustainable source)

• Natural wood kitchens (from sustainable source)

• Energy efficient light fittings

• White goods (with highest rating for energyefficiency)

• Organic gardens

• A composter

The development has not only created an attractiveplace to live for people who were in housing need,but has helped to increase energy efficiency locallyand promote the importance of sustainabilityacross the city. Energy efficient measures includedsolar panels, increased efficiency double-glazing,additional loft insulation, energy efficient lightfittings, and ‘White’ goods with ‘A’ rating forenergy efficiency.

Occupant behaviour has a significant impact onenergy use. The residents of the two timber frameunits (although living in identical houses) haddifferent energy costs. As a result residents arenow advised of the cost implications of heatingtheir homes above a ‘standard level’.

The scheme has highlighted the importance ofmatching the type of construction and heatingmethod to the pattern of occupation of theresidents. E.g. for homes that are occupied forlong periods (e.g. by older people) the preferenceis for high thermal mass with storage heating andtimber frame with gas central heating is better inhomes that are not occupied during the day andwhere a ‘quick response’ time is needed.

Best Practice Example 6: Portswood SUN Centre, Southampton (Hyde Housing Association and Southampton City Council)

8. Waste and Recycling

8.1 IntroductionEvery year in the UK approximately 400 milliontonnes of waste is produced; a quarter of this comesfrom households, commerce and industry with theremainder resulting from construction anddemolition industry, mining and agricultural wastes,sewage sludge and dredged spoils. Currently thegreater portion of this ends up as landfill.Approximately 35% of industrial land andcommercial waste and 12% of household waste isbeing recycled or composted.

It is a requirement of the Landfill Directive that theamount of material being sent to landfill is reducedand recycling and composting increased for moresustainable management of waste streams. Waste isa potential resource and increased levels of reuse,recycling, and energy recovery will contribute toachieving more sustainable lifestyles.

The Government’s white paper “Making WasteWork” ranked the different waste managementoptions in a waste hierarchy to give an idea of therelative sustainability of each option. The recoverycategory is the broadest and incorporates therecycling of materials, composting and therecovery of energy from waste. The Governmentaims to follow the waste hierarchy, which indescending order of preference is eliminate,reduce, reuse and recycle.

8.2 Policy Framework• Planning Policy Statement 10: Planning for

Sustainable Waste Management

• Governments Waste Strategy 2000

• Landfill Directive

• Hampshire Minerals and Waste DevelopmentFramework Strategy 2006

• City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 - Policy: SDP13 ‘Resource Conservation’

8.3 Waste and RecyclingConstruction WasteThe construction process itself generates significantquantities of waste. Approximately 40% of the totalamount of waste produced in the UK is generated bythe construction industry. The construction industryis under pressure to find ways to conserve and makethe best use of natural materials. The best way to dothis is to reuse, reclaim or recycle materials. Over 70million tonnes of construction waste is generatedeach year, but 60-80% of builders' on-site materialsare reusable, including:

• Wood, metals, aggregates, glass, plastics, slate,tiles, cardboard

• Fixtures and fittings

• Windows, doors, fixed furniture items

• Other common reusable items, such as sitehoarding materials.

Over 80% of construction materials use naturalresources that can be recycled, reused or originallycome from a sustainable source.

(Source: RICS website)

Project ManagementWaste arising from construction includes off-cuts,packaging, and other legitimate wastes but alsoincludes material which has simply been spilled,dropped or run over before ever being used. Wasteis generated at every stage in a normal constructionproject, from initial extraction of resources such as

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Eliminate

Reduce

Re-use(On-site & Off-site)

Recycle


aggregates, to processing, packaging, transport, useon site, repair, and disposal.

One way of addressing these issues is to consider theconstruction project in exactly the same way as anyother manufacturing or production process and toapply the principles of waste minimisation on thisbasis. A typical waste minimisation project of thissort would consider the inputs, processes, andoutputs of the production process as well as anyutility inputs such as energy and water.

Waste and inefficiency can be limited and increasedamounts of materials recycled during construction by:

• Recycling of demolition materials and waste arisingfrom construction.

• Re-using on-site materials, and monitoring ofmaterial use and packaging.

• The materials and products used in a developmentshould be extremely durable and expected toperform well over an extended lifetime.

• Refurbishment of a building is the preferable optionto demolition, but where refurbishment is no longera viable option then buildings need to bedeconstructed, creating a minimum amount ofwaste. The new building should recycle as much ofthe materials from the previous building as possible.Better use should be made of unavoidable waste -recycled and secondary aggregates, and waste by-products offer a range of high-grade and low-grade applications in construction.

• Lean construction techniques increase efficienciesin using all resources such as time, energy, andmaterials. Waste should be designed out of abuilding through methods such as modular designwith regard to suppliers’ unit/sheet size, which willreduce un-usable off-cuts.

• Reducing Energy Consumption during constructioncan result in lower direct costs for the developer,thus helping profitability.

8.4 The Provision for Recycling withinnew developmentWhilst there are statutory requirements with regardsto provision for waste and recycling, there areadditional measures that can be taken to ensure thatthe development has a negligible impact on theenvironment. Provision for the storage, collectionand recycling of waste needs to be an integral partof any design for a new development since it isfundamental to its operation. Inadequate provisioncan lead to a plethora of problems for residents,neighbours, and refuse disposal crews.

Details of the facilities for waste and recyclingshould accompany the planning application.The design, size, and appearance of waste storagecontainers, and how they fit into the developmentare important factors to consider in order toencourage the most effective use of the provision.The following factors need to be considered:

• Storage capacity and method of storage - buildingusers need a number of containers to store at leasta week’s worth of waste both internally andexternally

• Possibility of on-site treatment

• Location of waste storage and treatment areas - thebins should be clearly labeled and in anappropriate location in the development (30 metresfrom the dwelling & 25 metres of the wastecollection point. 10 metres).

• Means of access for waste collection staff andvehicles.

On-site FacilitiesProviding easily accessible recycling facilities on-sitewill encourage building users to sort their waste intoseparate streams. Provision of local facilitiesencourages uptake in recycling and reduces the needto drive to a central facility. In residentialdevelopments, the provision of containers integratedinto the layout of the kitchen (under the sink, orother storage unit) will encourage the householderto recycle waste without the need for untidy boxeson the floor.

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Where possible developments should make provisionfor local shared recycling facilities for newresidential or mixed-use development e.g. paper,glass, plastics, cans and clothing and the provisionof a compositing facility in properties with gardensor landscaped space.

Site Waste Management PlansIt is important that during the design process aneffective waste recycling strategy is adopted and thatthere is a convenient solution to allow building usersto dispose of a sufficient number of segregatedwaste streams.

The site waste management plan should take theform of a scheme of works to be submitted forcouncil approval, outlining the method of storageand waste collection of refuse from the land, toinclude details that take into account the location ofwaste storage containers, the process for pre andpost collection and also measures for recycling.

The benefits of a site waste management planinclude:

• Better control of risks relating to the materials andwaste on your site

• A tool to help you deal with queries from, forexample the environmental regulators, regardingthe wastes arising from your site

• A mechanism to demonstrate to clients how youmanage your waste and minimize costs and risks tothem

• Compliance with likely future contractualrequirements from public and private sector clients

• A system help you and your workforce make costsavings by better managing your materials supply,materials storage and handling and bettermanaging your waste for recovery and disposal.

• There is a variety of examples of best practice in thepreparation of site waste management plans.

These are included in the websites of the variousorganisations listed - please see the links below:• www.smartwaste.co.uk,, www.ciria.org.uk,

www.constructingexcellence.org• www.envirowise.gov.uk, www.greenwich-

village.co.uk, www.bre.co.uk,www.carillionplc.co.uk,

• www.defra.gov.uk/environment,www.dti.gov.uk,www.netregs.gov.uk

Waste into Energy SchemesIt is important to consider the wider implications ofmajor development proposals on local wastemanagement. In the case of major housingdevelopment, the feasibility of community heatingschemes, which utilise waste products generated,would bring benefits such as a reduction in trafficcarrying wastes, as well as a more efficient energysupply. The scope for the incorporation of access tobiological waste treatment facilities to provide arenewable energy source for CCHP, CHP or districtheating schemes (e.g. anaerobic digestionproducing methane) needs to be explored. Forexample, Nottingham’s Eastcroft incineratorsupplies steam for community heating andgenerates electricity for the local area. For further information on this scheme visithttp://www.wrg.co.uk/eastcroft/

For more information on CHP, please refer to theEnergy Efficiency and Renewables Advice sheetwithin this document.

8.5 Further Information• Recycling and Waste pages from the DEFRA website:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/intro.htm

• The Hampshire, Portsmouth and SouthamptonMinerals and Waste Local Plan:http://www.hants.gov.uk/environment/mineralsandwastelocalplan/test/initial.html

• For information on waste and recycling in theconstruction industry please refer to the BuildingResearch Establishment web pages:http://www.bre.co.uk/service.jsp?id=5

• For more information on waste-to-energy fromCardiff University:http://www.wasteresearch.co.uk/ade/Currentprojects.htm

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• Information on sustainable waste managementfrom the Environment Agency:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waste/?version=1&lang=_e

• For information on Nottingham’s EastcroftIncinerator from the Waste Recycling Group:http://www.wrg.co.uk/eastcroft/

• The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management:http://www.iwm.co.uk/

• The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP),for information on markets for recycled resources:http://www.wrap.org.uk/index.html

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9. Site Layout and Building Design

9.1 IntroductionSustainable Building Design is of vital importance dueto the considerable pressures for the construction ofnew homes in the UK. This new development has thepotential to generate substantial new emissions andplace huge demands on energy resources. The scale ofnew urban housing required provides an opportunity toinnovate and the form of new development must takeinto account all aspects of sustainability.

9.2 Policy Framework• Planning policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable

Development

• Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing

• Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy

• The City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 - SDP13‘Resource Conservation’

• Southampton Residential Design Guide 2006

9.3 Energy Efficient Design TechniquesIncreased solar collection• The sides of buildings which contain the most

fenestration should be orientated facing south, orwithin 30° either side or south.

• In the case of loft conversions or householdextensions, where possible use skylights or tallwindows on the southerly facing sides.

• Habitable rooms (i.e. bedrooms or lounge) shouldbe located to have a southerly aspect.

• Where larger developments are concerned, the layoutof roads within a development can be a primaryinfluence in determining the orientation of housingwithin a scheme. For optimum orientation of houseplots, roads should preferably be aligned east-west.

For further information visit:

www.est.org.uk/bestpractoce/uploads/publications/pdfs/GIR053.pdf

www.est.org.uk/bestpractice/uploads/publications/pdfs/GI027.pdf

Prevention and minimisation of over-shadowing• There should be no obstruction to south-facing

fenestration within an altitude angle of 10° toensure that they remain un-shaded in wintermonths, especially between the hours of 9.00amand 3.00pm.

• A distance of 21 metres between two storey elementscan ensure minimal over-shadowing occurs.

• Taller buildings should be located to the north ofthe site, or to the south of areas that need less orno sun such as road intersections or car parking.

• Low-rise buildings should be located to the southof the site.

• If semi-detached and detached housing arepositioned to the south of the site, then sunlight isable to penetrate between houses.

• On the south elevations of buildings, projectingfeatures such as porches or garages should beavoided.

• Car parking and garages should be located to thenorth of housing.

• Low-pitched and hipped roofs can also minimiseover-shadowing.

For further information visit:

www.est.org.uk/bestpractoce/uploads/publications/pdfs/GIR053.pdf

Reduction of heat loss• The smaller the external surface area of a building

then the less opportunity there is for heat toescape. Therefore, the exposure of a building tothe external environment can be reduced by settingthe building into the ground, or employingunheated intermediate spaces such as anextension, conservatory, garage, or lobby to act asthermal buffers for the main building.

• Heating demand can be reduced by ensuring thatnorth, north-west and northeast elevations have aminimal amount of fenestration as possible,although they should however, be large enough toprovide adequate daylight.

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• To reduce heat loss at night, windows on south-elevations should not be larger than usual.Similarly, where buildings do not incorporatethermal mass, which absorbs solar gains, thenlarger windows in southern elevations, can lead toexcessive solar heat gain.

VentilationBuildings should maximise the use of naturalventilation in preference to mechanical ventilationand air conditioning systems. Passive ventilation issimple and maintenance free, it is also quiet and hasno running costs, as it does not require the use ofelectricity to drive fans. Modern buildingsincreasingly apply the principles of naturalventilation by allowing cool air to be drawn in at lowlevels, and for normal convection currents toencourage the air to move upwards through thebuilding and be ejected at high level.

Whole house passive stack ventilation systems arebased on the ‘stack effect’. This is the movement ofplanned air paths through the dwelling as a result ofinternal and external temperature differences and windinduced pressure differences. PSV systems ventilate thewhole house by siting extracts in ‘wet’ rooms (e.g.kitchens and bathrooms, including en-suite), andducting vertically to individual terminals sited on theroof. Wind induced pressure differences cause moist airin these areas to be drawn up the ducts to be replacedby fresh air through inlet vents situated in the walls orwindow frames of habitable rooms. A free flow of freshair from ‘dry’ to ‘wet’ areas creates whole houseventilation. PSV systems are suitable for dwellings,commercial buildings and flats, up to 4 storeys high,that require three of less individual stacks. Each ‘wet;room must be ventilated by an individual stack.

Mechanically assisted ventilation system are suitablefor dwellings, commercial buildings and flats,where, due to the room layout or the number orextract points required, PSV systems are impractical.They have the additional advantage that all extractducts can be vented through a single roof terminal.(Source: www.ubbink.co.uk ).

CoolingReliance on mechanical cooling systems should beminimised. Cities with warmer climates than

Southampton can deal with high solar gain withoutover-reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

Typical elements include:

• Light coloured heavy buildings with small shadedwindows set around courtyards with fountainsalong tree lined avenues.

• In buildings where summer overheating may beproblematic (e.g. commercial buildings where heatis generated by occupants, equipment and lighting)

• Devices such as louvres, external blinds and eaves,and well-placed deciduous trees can be specified toshade glazed areas. These shade high summer sunbut allow the weaker winter and evening sun toincrease the heat and light input to the building.

Where mechanical cooling is required, coolingtechniques to be considered include district coolingor those powered by renewable energy technologies.‘Green roofs’ and ‘green walls’ are vegetatedbuilding surfaces that can minimise solar gain andprovide additional cooling.

Planting• Housing can be protected from prevailing winds

through the planting of shelterbelts. These shouldalways be placed at least three or four times theirmature height from south-facing elevations tominimise solar obstruction.

• Taller trees should be deciduous to enablepenetration of low-level winter sun.

• Shelterbelts can also be used to protect housingfrom the coldest winds, which are usually from thenortheast; evergreen trees are more suited for thispurpose.

• Trees may be planted within public spaces andfootpaths to further the year-round use of thesespaces. Deciduous trees can provide shading insummer to limit solar gain and possibleoverheating, yet allow winter sunshine to filterthrough the bare branches.

For further information visit:www.est.org.uk/bestpractice/uploads/publications/pdfs/GI027.pdf

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LandscapingNew build schemes offer the greatest scope forincorporating wildlife habitats within the frameworkof the buildings. Even the smallest gardens onbalconies and terraces can provide a link with thenatural world. Although such gardens cannot makeup for a lack of open space in a neighbourhood, theyare complimentary to an open space network. A tinygarden can provide features such as miniature pondand wildflowers. They can be installed almostanywhere, including the most densely urbanizedareas.

BalconiesThere is the potential in all houses and flats withoutground-level gardens to provide built-in balconiesand terraces for growing plants. These add characterto a development, provide space for wildlife, and areexcellent for brightening up a dreary façade. Thebenefits of balcony gardens greatly outweigh thespace and cost needed to create them.

Green WallsGreen walls provide the opportunity to extend thenatural environment into urban areas byencouraging plants to grow on and up walls. Thereare opportunities to establish plants in the jointsbetween brick or fascia work or specially built ledgesand terraces. Vegetation placed directly on thesurfaces of buildings protects the building shell.Extra short term capital costs are usually more thancancelled by long term savings.

Green RoofsA green roof consists of vegetation and soil, or agrowing medium, planted over a waterproofingmembrane. Additional layers, such as a root barrierand drainage and irrigation systems can also beincluded. Green roofs, whether extensive orintensive, provide wildlife habitats, reduce stormwater runoff, absorb CO2, air pollutants and dust,reduce the urban ‘heat-island’ effect.

Green roofs are an attractive roofing option that canreduce urban heat islands. They also:

• Reduce sewage system loads by assimilating largeamounts of rainwater.

• Absorb air pollution, collect airborne particulates,and store carbon.

• Protect underlying roof material by eliminatingexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation andextreme daily temperature fluctuations.

• Serve as living environments that provide habitatsfor birds and other small animals.

• Offer an attractive alternative to traditional roofs,addressing growing concerns about urban qualityof life.

• Reduce noise transfer from the outdoors.

• Insulate a building from extreme temperatures,mainly by keeping the building interior cool in thesummer.

Green roofs also have direct benefits for developersas they have lower maintenance costs than otherroofing materials, are attractive to clients and ownerof building facilities and may help to win approvalfor planning permission.

Flexible StructuresChanging economic, social or environmentaldemands, climate change, and the introduction ofnew technology can result in the original use of abuilding being no longer viable and its heating,lighting and ventilation systems requiringmodernisation. If buildings are designed to beflexible in use then changes can be accommodatedwithout the need for significant redevelopment. Thiscan ensure that buildings have long and useful liveseven if the purpose for which they were originallybuilt changes and reduce the likelihood of it beingdemolished, replaced or refurbished.

Therefore, wherever practical new buildings shouldprovide:

• Flexible space capable of multiple uses andfacilities (Ground floors are particularly suited tochanges of use).

• Provision should be made at the design stage forincorporating renewable energy sources and forcombined heat and power wherever feasible.

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• Enable buildings by integrating sufficient access toIT services should be encouraged to support theknowledge based economy.

The internal design ensures that the building couldbe relatively easily adapted in future. It is importantto make it practicable to change as many as possibleof our internal layout decisions during the life of thebuilding. Most buildings contain spaces, whichhouse shared facilities such as staircases, lifts andvertical service ducts. Usually these spaces are‘hard’: they are least likely to change their functionsduring the building’s life. These hard zones must bepositioned where they will not restrict the use of theremaining space.

All building uses need some links to the outsideworld. Therefore, the number of access points is akey factor governing how easily a building can adaptto a variety of uses.

Design attributes that contribute to achievingflexibility include:

• Use of a grid structure to provide a consistent andgeneric internal environment

• Use of non-load bearing partitions;

• Integration of additional service capacity andceiling heights to facilitate changes of room useand servicing requirements.

Increasing the range of potential occupier throughflexible Design Buildings with a flexible layout willattract a greater range of potential purchasers ortenants thereby ensuring the best sale or rental valueand maximising the chances of prompt occupation. Aflexible environment will also increase the selling-onor renting value of a building for similar reasons.

Reusing buildingsExisting buildings can represent a valuable resource thatcould be more expensive to replace than reuse, even ifthe original use for those buildings has disappeared.Conserving, recycling and restoring existing buildings isgenerally more environmentally efficient as it uses fewernew resources and less energy. Even when newbuildings are designed to be more energy efficient, thenon-renewable resources involved in demolition and

rebuilding are considerable. Older buildings can alsoprovide a valuable link with the past, providingcontinuity for old and new residents.

Factors that we need to be considered include:• the special historical or architectural interest of the

building

• new uses for the buildings

• the location of the buildings

• how the building design and materials fit in withthe local character

We may need a cost-benefit analysis to compare thecost of keeping and maintaining an existing buildingwith the cost of replacing the building. This analysisshould take into account energy performance. Weshould also consider how to improve the efficiencyof the existing building, the materials to use in thebuilding or redevelopment work and the cost ofreplacing the building.

It is also worth noting that, pound for pound,repairing and maintaining buildings creates moreemployment than building new ones. In new-buildschemes, most of the cost comes from materials. Forrepair and maintenance, 70% of the cost comes fromlabour in addition, 30% from materials.

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Best Practice Example 7:Buildings Reused in Southampton

1. Solent Business Centre: Warehouse - Smalloffice units

2.South Western House: Hotel - Offices -Residential Apartments with ground floor bar

3.African Caribbean Centre: Church - CommunityCentre

4.BT House: Offices - Residential Apartments

5.Leisure World: Electricity Sub-Station - Cinema& nightclubs

6.Jo Da Flos: Church - Bar/Restaurant

7. Square Bar: Cinema - Bar


9.3 Further Information• BREEAM website:

http://projects.bre.co.uk/envdiv/sustainable_refurb/index.html

• The Energy Saving Trust Website:www.est.org.uk

• The Green Energy Website from the NationalEnergy Foundation:http://www.nef.org.uk/greenenergy/index.htm

• The Sustainable Architecture Website:http://www.sustainable-architecture.org.uk

• The Enthuse Website:http://www.enthuse.info/

• The urban design compendium:www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/urbandesign

• Sustainable Energy by Design:www.tcpa.org.uk

• The National Green Specification (partnered with BRE):www.greenspec.co.uk

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10. Biodiversity

10.1 IntroductionBiodiversity means the great variety of natural life. Itincludes all plants and animals, their habitats and thecomplex ecosystems that sustain them. Continuingdevelopment throughout the city puts pressures onbiodiversity, in particular on those species that are indecline. The protection of biodiversity and other keyecological features is a fundamental part ofsustainable development. New development mustminimise harm to existing biodiversity and aim toenhance habitats and wildlife. The City Council alsohas a role to play in responding to national and localduties and strategies to halt the loss of biodiversity.

10.2 Policy Framework• Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and

Geological Conservation

• Draft South East Plan 2006 - Policy: NRM4‘Conservation and Improvement of Biodiversity’

• City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 - Policy: SDP12‘Landscape and Biodiversity’

• Southampton Biodiversity Action Plan

• Southampton Residential Design Guide 2006

10.3 Statutory Nature Conservation SitesSouthampton has a number of areas designated assites of international and national natureconservation importance. The City Council hasstatutory duties to protect such sites and their interestfeatures and to enhance their conservation value.

The sites are identified on the Development Planproposals map (3) and include:

• River Itchen Special Area of Conservation (SAC) andSite of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

• Solent and Southampton Water Special ProtectionArea (SPA)

• Lee-on-the Solent to Itchen Estuary Sites of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI)

• Southampton Common Sites of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI)

• Solent Maritime Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Site boundaries can also be found atwww.natureonthemap.org.uk/

These sites receive high levels of protection, andthere are specific legal requirements for assessingdevelopment impacts on certain sites (please refer toODPM Circular 06/2005 ‘Biodiversity and GeologicalConservation’ and Circular 15/88 ‘Assessment ofEnvironmental Effects’). The nature conservationinterest associated with such sites is often mobile,and consideration must therefore be given todevelopment impacts that may affect the interesteven if it is outside the designated site boundary.

10.4 Local Nature Conservation SitesPPS9 recognises that locally important wildlife siteshave a fundamental role to play in meetingbiodiversity targets and contributing to quality of life.Developments should avoid harm to local sites.Habitat protection and enhancement measureswithin developments can enhance their biodiversityand community value. Local Sites withinSouthampton designated as Sites of Interest forNature Conservation (SINCs) are identified on theDevelopment Plan proposals map and reasons fordesignation within the appendices to the plan.Policy NE3 of the revised Local Plan establishes thecouncil’s protection of local sites.

Protected SpeciesProtected species such as bats, badgers, greatcrested newt and slow worms are present within thecity and can be encountered during development.As many species are mobile and have adapted theirbehaviour to the urban environment, their absencefrom areas of the city cannot be assumed based ongeographical information alone. Such species canbe found in gardens and predominantly built-upareas if habitat is suitable.

10.5 Biodiversity in the Development ProcessIt is imperative that biodiversity is considered fromthe beginning of the design process and isintegrated into every stage thereafter.

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10. Biodiversity

• Professional ecological expertise is desirable at anearly stage within the development process:Biodiversity is a key urban design principle.

• Surveys and scoping studies may be valuable evenwhen considering purchase of development land inorder to identify ecological constraints, some ofwhich may have unavoidable implications for thetiming of development operations andenvironmental assessment. For information ontime constraints please refer tohttp://www.ciria.org/pdf/calendar.pdf.

• Ecological surveys, particularly for protectedspecies, are required prior to determination.Surveys for particular biological groups areseasonal and thus there can be considerable delaysto obtaining consents unless biodiversity has beenconsidered early in the development process. Incertain cases, lack of information and incorrectconsiderations and process can allow legalchallenges to planning consents.

• Ecological information should not be limited merelyto survey for presence/absence but also includeassessment of the impact of development on thebiodiversity interest. Details of mitigation andcompensation measures should be proposed alongwith method statements for delivery mechanisms,including monitoring and review of their efficacy.Ecological surveys and impact assessments shouldbe compliant with Institute of Ecology andEnvironmental Management (IEEM) guidelines(http://www.ieem.org.uk/ECIA.htm).

• In their design statements, an applicants’ UrbanDesigners and Landscape Architects shoulddemonstrate how professional ecological advice hasinfluenced design decisions.

• Timing of site clearance and demolition should beplanned to avoid disturbance to breeding birds andmigratory birds (protected by law) and otherprotected species such as bats.

• Post-construction considerations should beincluded in the design statement to account forminimisation of visual disturbance to migratorybirds e.g. screening of waterside access.

10.6 Promoting Biodiversity inDevelopmentBiodiversity LandscapingLandscape schemes should be seen as anopportunity to retain, enhance or create wildlifehabitats. Integrating new development into itslandscape can reduce its impact on nature andreinforce local natural diversity as well asdistinctiveness. Valuable wildlife habitats ondevelopment sites should be identified and protectedfrom disturbance by appropriate measures. Existinglandscape features such trees, hedgerows and wallsand a range of habitats (e.g. scrub, woodland,grassland, ponds) should be incorporated intolandscaping and green spaces on site.

The wider landscape setting of a site’s topography,rivers, streams and green corridors should also betaken into account. It is important to keep features incontext rather than as isolated fragments, hencewildlife corridors and linking habitats areencouraged. Habitats which provide ecologicalstepping stones to allow the dispersal of speciesassociated with the interest of designated sitesshould be appropriately managed. For this reason alandscape plan should be provided at an early stage.

Where damage is to existing habitat is unavoidablecompensation will be sought. PPS9 states thatplanning decisions should aim to maintain andenhance, restore or add to biodiversity interests.Where development will result in unavoidableadverse impacts on biodiversity, planning permissionshould only be granted where adequate mitigationmeasures are put in place. A planning condition canbe set out to require a mitigation strategy in linewith any recommendations laid out in theEnvironmental Statement. The developer can enterinto a planning agreement to recreate habitat.

First preference will always be for landscape/habitatcreation schemes to be provided on-site as anintegral part of the proposal. New ecologicallyfunctioning habitat can be created through softlandscaping. Two interesting examples are theSouthern Park in Greenwich www.npaconsult.co.uk/documents/Greenwich_001.pdf and the Jubilee

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10. Biodiversity

Campus, Nottingham Universityhttp://www.npaconsult.co.uk/nottingham.asp. The natural forms and landscape of Southamptonmean that designing waterside access and sea wallsto create opportunities for biodiversity is a particularissue.

If on-site habitat creation is not feasible, provision ofappropriate off-site habitat is an alternative option.Open space contributions can be used to createnatural habitats. Environmental features such ascopses, ponds, ditches and dead wood piles can becreated in parks and open spaces. Alternatively thedeveloper may wish to make a financial contributiontowards the management of nearby sites.

PlantingThe Design Statement should demonstrate how theplanting of areas would serve to foster natureconservation to satisfy Local Plan policy SDP12. Theapplicant should demonstrate that they haveanalysed the biodiversity character of the area, takenaccount of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (whichwill identify priority species in need of attention andthose such as non-native invasive species thatshould be avoided), and selected the appropriatespecies to plant in response to the assessment.Professional ecological advice is recommended.

Landscape Management PlansDevelopers must also give consideration to the futureuses of the site and the maintenance implications oftheir proposals. Professional ecological adviceshould be sought to inform landscaping proposals.Planning conditions require that an approvedlandscape scheme is maintained for a minimumperiod of 5 years with replacement of plants whichfail to survive. Where appropriate, the Council willrequire details of management arrangements toensure the long-term monitoring and maintenanceof habitat creation schemes which may be securedvia planning agreements. If the Council is to adoptany land a commuted sum will be required to assistin future maintenance and management.

Habitat within the framework of the buildingBalconies, green walls and green roofs as well asfeatures such as permanent raised planting beds,window boxes provide cover and resting places for

birds and food sources, either directly in the form ofberries or indirectly as a result of encouraginginvertebrates. In addition, artificial structures can beincorporated into developments, attracting wildlifefor targeted biodiversity enhancement and/orcompensation. These include:

• Bird nesting places: In many locations natural nestsites will be insufficient or non-existent, so if birdsare to be attracted, artificial nest sites must beprovided on or around the building. Nest boxes canbe mounted on nearby walls.

• Bird feeders can be secured onto walls or hung onbrackets.

• Bats need summer roosting sites and places tobreed and to hibernate.

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Best Practice Example 10: Orchards Homes, Regents Park

A survey revealed brown long-eared bats andpipistrelle bats use the site for foragingpurposes. Thus significant trees, around whichbats were seen to forage, were retained.Additional planting was introduced to create analternative foraging corridor. Native species oftree, shrub and climbing plants were used tosupport the invertebrates bats feed on.

The building design incorporates vertical timbercladding, which has the potential to function as abat roosting site, and overhanging soffits withthe potential to attract to birds such as swift andhouse martins. Five ‘Sparrow Terraces or Flats’were installed upon the new buildings to providenesting units for a colony of 15 house sparrows.Modified bricks allow bat access to wall cavities

Best Practice Example 9: Weston Shore, Toilet Block

The toilets are planted with sedum to reduce thevisual impact of the building and to create a newhabitat for wildlife.

10. Biodiversity

10.7 Further Information• The use of Green Roofs in Urban Areas from

English Nature:http://www.english-nature.org.uk/news/news_photo/Greenroofs.pdf

• For information of good mitigation techniques:http://www.blackredstarts.org.uk/index.html

• Draft Circular: Biodiversity and GeologicalConservation-Statutory obligations and their impactwithin the planning system from the ODPM website:http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/documents/page/odpm_plan_030967.pdf

Useful contacts• English Nature: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/

• Environment Agency: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

• Wildlife Trust: http://www.hwt.org.uk/

References:• (0) Good Practice Guide from the RTPI “Planning

for Biodiversity”:www.rtpi.org.uk/resources/publications/environment/biodiversity

• (1) The UK Biodiversity Action Plan website:www.ukbap.org.uk

• (2) Planning Policy Contents Page from the ODPMwebsite:http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_control/documents/contentservertemplate/odpm_index.hcst?n=2258&l=1

• (3) The City of Southampton Local Plan RevisedDeposit Version Proposals map from theSouthampton City Council website:http://www.southampton.gov.uk/images/proposals_map_tcm9-71582.pdf(note that at present this only shows revisions &therefore some national designations are notrepresented. Cross reference withwww.natureonthemap.org.uk/ )

• (4) E.g. All nesting wild birds under the Wildlife andCountryside Act 1981, Bat species, dormouse, greatcrested newt are protected under the Conservation(Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994. Badgersunder the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

• (5) List of habitats and species of principalimportance for the conservation of biologicaldiversity in England published by the Secretary ofState for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, inresponse to Section 74 (2) of the Countryside &Rights of Way Act 2000.www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/cl/habitats/index.htm

• (6) ‘Biodiversity by design, A guide for sustainablecommunities’ from the Town and Country PlanningAssociation website:www.tcpa.org.uk/content_files/TCPA%20biodiversity%20guide_lowres.pdf

• (7) Background to the distribution of importanthabitats and species of Southampton:-Southampton’s Nature Conservation Strategy 1991(Southampton City Council). Hard copy availablefrom [email protected]

• Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre:http://www.hampshirebiodiversity.org.uk/infocentre.html

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as well as modified tiles to allow bat access tothe roof space.

A total of twelve nest boxes will be providedamongst the retained vegetation for targetspecies including blackbird, robin, wren, blue titand great tit. Nest bundles were constructed andsited amongst the retained vegetation for songthrushes and long-tailed tits.

The bin store combined as a bat sanctuary. Apurpose-designed building with has a pitchedroof with a central ridge (to facilitate bat accessto the roofspace), and tiled with overhangingeaves and soffit boxes. Native Ivy andhoneysuckle were planted near the batsanctuary/bin store and encouraged to grow upthe walls.

‘Bat-friendly’ building techniques were employedand the site was investigated thoroughly for thepresence of fox earths.

11. Transport

11.1 IntroductionCars, vans, and lorries contribute to 25% of all CO2

emissions in Britain and account for 30% of UK totalenergy consumption. In addition to the implications forclimate change there are also many health problemsassociated with traffic fumes and their impact on localair quality. Social problems also arise as a direct resultof the existing transport system, such as communityseverance by busy roads and increased fear of roadtraffic accidents. Many of these issues act as a deterrentto pedestrians and cyclists and maintain the perceptionof UK cities as car dominated, polluted, and congested.

In new developments, there is a need to reduce travel bycar and encourage the integration of access by walking,cycling, and public transport. Where car travel isnecessary it is important to support new, more efficienttransport technologies will little or no emissions.

11.2 Policy Framework• Planning Policy Guidance 13: Transport

• Draft South East Plan 2006 - Policies: T7 ‘Parking’and T8 ‘Travel Plans and Advice’

• The City of Southampton Local Plan 2006 - Policies:SDP2 ‘Integrating Transport and Development’ andSDP 4 ‘Development Access’

11.3 Sustainable Design Features& ProcessesDevelopment should be located as close as possibleto public transport routes. Mixed-use developmentscan create a relatively self-contained community,which should also incorporate a comprehensiveapproach to sustainable travel with appropriate linksto the existing transport infrastructure.

The layout of new developments should be designedto encourage pedestrians and cyclists and discouragethe use of cars powered by fossil fuels. For example,footpaths should be:

• Well lit

• Suitable for all users (e.g. pushchairs, wheelchair users)

• Efficient (e.g. enable pedestrians to take theshortest possible routes)

Other design features that schemes should takeaccount of include the following:

• In residential schemes, access to employment andretail areas needs to be integrated into the design.Similarly, when considering commercial schemesthe spatial relationship of the site to local housingshould also be considered.

• Building designs should incorporate lobby areaswhere information about public transport or carsharing can be made available.

• Lighting and landscaping of developments shouldcontribute to pedestrian, cycle links and waitingareas being user-friendly.

• Designs of non-residential developments shouldmake provision for shower and changing facilitiesat convenient locations.

• Cycle storage areas should be well designed andconveniently located.

http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/downloads/GIR084.pdf

Home ZonesThe use of initiatives such as Home Zones cansignificantly contribute to encouraging pedestriansand cyclists by changing the way in which streets areused by ensuring that they are places for people, notjust for traffic. Home Zones schemes are for existingor new residential streets where by changes to theroad layout lead to a perception amongst motoriststhat they should give informal priority to other roadusers. The schemes typically contain:

• Modifications to street design, traffic calming and otherspeed reduction measures to support low speeds.

• Prescribed and/or approved signing.

• Amenity features, such as public spaces, play areas,rearrangements of street furniture and theintroduction of trees, to support any new uses ofstreets in the community.

• Good design, both in the hard and soft elements.

• Restrictions on parking.

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11. Transport

Cleaner VehiclesLow-carbon vehicles and fuels offer opportunities toradically reduce the environmental impact of roadtransport – both locally in terms of reduced airpollution emissions and lower noise levels andglobally in terms of climate change.

The use of cleaner vehicles and cleaner fuels forvehicles can be promoted through the planningsystem. For example, London Borough of CamdenCouncil promotes the development of LiquefiedPetroleum Gas (LPG) refuelling points in conjunctionwith the promotion of LPG vehicles.

Electric vehicles use a battery and electric motor topower the vehicle so they produce no emissions atthe point of use and are also very quiet. Thesevehicles are well suited to city driving and newdevelopments can incorporate re-charging facilitiesfor such vehicles.

The following link to the Energy Saving Trust’sTransport Energy website, indicates the location ofrefuelling stations for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG),Natural Gas, Biodiesel and Electricity:

Car ClubsPeople like to enjoy ‘mobility insurance’ wherebythey can be confident that should they need to use acar, there is an opportunity to do so. Car clubsprovide a solution to this whilst reducing the needfor parking and freeing up space that can be usedelsewhere in the development.

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Best Practice Example 11: Northam Home Zone, Southampton

This ‘Home Zone’ project took place in an area ofapproximately 4Ha and an estimated 375residents. The aim was to shift the balance ofcontrol from the driver to the pedestrian byreducing accidents and diving speeds andintroducing new uses and facilities forcarriageway and adjacent public spaces.

A 20mh zone precedes the Home Zone entrance.All roads in the area have been remodeled toinclude raised planters with trees and shrubsand chevron parking to create horizontaldeflection. Occasional areas of raised granite setpaving to provide vertical deflection. Footwayshave been removed in Augustine Road andPersonage Road to create shared surface streets.In addition, a car park was redeveloped toprovide part of the land for the park.

Residents are pleased with the environmentalimprovements the Home Zone has brought suchas the ‘greening’ of the area: the distinctivecharacter of lighting and art features; reducedtraffic speeds and new park. Children now playin the streets and new park and Children comein to play in the area from surrounding streets. Aman with a young family living in the area said“You’ve saved me from having to move out of thearea because of traffic speeds”.

Best Practice Example 12: St. Mary’s Street, Southampton (Cindan Land Ltd)

The Cindan Land residential development in StMary Street was designed to provide 63residential units above a parade of existingshops. No car parking spaces were incorporatedin this scheme but alternatively 63 bicycles wereprovided as well as 6 electric powered bicyclesall for use of the occupiers of the development.Such a city centre location is well served bypublic transport and in close proximity to localamenities; consequently the need to travel isreduced. It is intended that this be establishedas pilot scheme to assess the long-term viabilityof electric powered bicycles. In addition to thisthe development also incorporated othersustainable building design features including alow-pitched roof with solar membrane that isdesigned to provide sufficient power to runcommunal lighting and power, within thedevelopment. As such the development has wonplaudits from many “green” campaign groups,including Transport 2000.

11. Transport

Car clubs are neighbourhood based, short-term carrentals, which provide access to a car, eliminatingthe need to own one. Car clubs typically incorporatethe following features:

• Cars can be hired 24 hours a day for periods of aslittle as an hour at a time.

• A car is booked through a central office using thetelephone or Internet.

• They can be booked weeks in advance, orimmediately prior to use.

• Cars are located at local reserved parking ‘stations’within 10 minutes walk of the development. (Cyclestands are also located close to car club bays toenable cycling to pick up the car).

• Cars are often accessed by a smartcard, owned bythe user.

• A range of vehicles enables members to chooseone to meet their needs

Car clubs need to be established before adevelopment is first occupied or bought into use.Their success is dependent on the number of parkingspaces provided with a new development i.e. nomore than one per unit. As use of a car is designedto be occasional, car clubs must also be integratedinto a sustainable travel programmed with goodpedestrian and cycles links as well as access to agood public transport network.

Travel PlansApplications for major projects must beaccompanied by a comprehensive Travel Plan, whichis reviewed at regular intervals to ensure it remainseffective. Travel plans are a means by whichsustainable approaches to transport can beimplemented in new developments. They should bedesigned to encourage the use of sustainable modesof transport such as car clubs, car sharing, publictransport, walking or cycling. Partnerships withpublic transport operators and the Local Authoritycan be created, to identify opportunities for moreconvenient services to the development site and thepossibility of negotiating travel pass schemes.Similarly, partnerships with local suppliers ofbicycles or cleaner vehicles may also be possible.Employers could also offer their staff interest-freeloans for bicycles or cleaner vehicles.

Further elements of a travel plan could include:

• Making public transport information widelyavailable.

• Providing cycling facilities.

• Negotiating improved public transport services.

• Setting up car-sharing schemes.

• Offering flexible working practices.

• Signing up to and promoting the car club.

• Restricting and / or charging for car parking.

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Best Practice Example 13: Bedzed, Sutton

The development recognizes that people require“mobility insurance”. To cater for this need thereis a “Zedcars” car club, which allows membersof the development to pay for use of acommunal car by the hour. By reducing cardependence in this manner the developers wereable to negotiate a reduction in the number ofparking spaces from 160 to 84 with the LocalAuthority, allowing the provision of additionalhousing.

The development also encourages the use ofmore sustainable vehicles. On-site integratedphotovoltaic panels generate enough electricityto charge 40 electric vehicles and electric vehiclecharging facilities are offered free of charge.Whilst an annual charge is levied on parkingspaces, there are rebates for electric and LPGvehicles.

11. Transport

11.4 Further Information• General Information on Transport and Climate

Change from the ODPM “The Planning Response toClimate Change: Advice on Better Practice”http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_planning/documents/page/odpm_plan_032088.pdf

• For more information on compiling travel plansfrom the Department of Transport’s SustainableTravel pages:http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_susttravel/documents/sectionhomepage/dft_susttravel_page.hcsp

• For more information on compiling Travel plans,The Benefits of Green Transport Plans from the DFT.http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_susttravel/documents/source/dft_susttravel_source_027688.doc

• Further information on Travel Plans from theEnergy Saving Trust Transport Energy Pages:http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/developtravelplan/

• For more information on car clubs the Car Plus website:

http://www.carclubs.org.uk/index.html

• For more information on car sharingwww.hantscarshare.com

• For information on cleaner vehicles and fuels, theTransport Energy Pages from the Energy Saving Trust:http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/

• General Information Report 84: Travel Plans, A guide for developers from the Energy SavingTrust’s, Transport Energy web pages:http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/downloads/GIR084.pdf

• Sustainable approaches to transport at the Bedzeddevelopment:• http://www.bedzed.org.uk/index.htm• http://www.est.org.uk/bestpractice/uploads/

publications/pdfs/GIR053.pdf• http://www.transportenergy.org.uk/tools/

refuellingmap/index.cfm• http://www.odpm.gov.uk/

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Best practice example 14: City College Travel Plan, Southampton

The college has drawn up a strategy forenvironmentally friendly transport. During theinitial three-year period of the plan, the Collegeset itself a series of quantitative targets to be meeteach year. These targets included: reducing thenumber of parking spaces, increasing the numberof spaces available for scooters/motorcycles,increasing the number of spaces available forsecure cycle parking, increasing the number ofstaff traveling by public transport, increasing thenumber of staff taking part in car sharing schemes,and increasing the number of staff cycling to work.

The college undertook a survey of both staff andstudents on their travel routes and methods oftransport and formulated the following measures:Provision for cyclists• Secure cycle parking• Shower and changing facilities• Space for drying and storing wet towelsCar Park Management Plan• Charging for a parking space • Reserved spaces for those who car share

• A review of parking permits for staff living withinthe city Personalised journey planning service

Accessibility• Campaigning for improvements to the

accessibility of college sites for pedestrians,including pedestrianised areas and improvedstreet lighting

• Involvement in planning for installation of CCTVin the area

• The College is also considering options for thefuture including some home working

Car sharing schemeProvision of Information• Staff bulletins and publications• Student notice boards• Student newsletters• Induction material for new staff and students• Events for new students• Staff and student intranet• College website• Visitors issued with maps and information on the

public transport services and information on cyclefacilities on site

Annual Review & Monitoring

I. Glossary

• BREEAMBuilding Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

• CABECommission for Architecture and Build Environment

• EC fundingEuropean Commission funding

• Eco homesBREEAM award given to sustainable residential developments

• Landfill DirectiveStatutory Document which aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill sitesin the UK

• Local Development PlansSet out local authorities long-term planning policies for the local authority

• Building RegulationsSet standards for the design and construction of buildings

• Planning Policy GuidanceProvides guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.

• Planning Policy StatementProvides guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy and the operation of the planning system.

• South East PlanRegional planning document

• Sustainable Communities PlanA long-term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas,launched by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2003.

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II. Appendix 1Sustainable Design Features: Indicative Costs

Solar Panel Heaters

Photovoltaic Cells

Community Heating Schemes (WithCombined Heat and Power Systems)

On-Site Wind Power

Ground Sourced Heat Pumps

Energy Sub Metering

Flat plate collector solar panels are the most common type of solarpanel; prices range from £2,000 - £3,000 per panel.

The evacuated tube system costs can range from £3,000 to over£4,000 for professionally installed systems.

Costs of photovoltaic cells range from £4000 to £8000/kWp for a1kWp (the peak output of the panel) roof mounted system. Thelower prices will be obtainable for bulk orders or large systems.

Prices range from £10 – 15,000/kWp for façade or atrium systems.

The cost of providing community heating with a CHP plant isestimated as: £2000/unit over the cost of standard central heatingfor a 50 unit urban development, £1320/unit for a 500 unit urbandevelopment.

An extra cost of £50,000 for CHP unit (over and above standard heating) has been estimated: for a typical factor unit (5000m2 production 1000m2 of office and for typical warehouseunit(13000m2 production and 3340m2 office). Costs would clearlybe site specific and dependent on loads served.

Systems for households or businesses (1.5kW to 10kW can costbetween £5,000-£25,000, including turbine, mast, inverters,storage(if required) and installation; depending on the size and type of thesystem installed.

Larger turbines serving whole communities will havehigher costs with a 20KW turbine costing around £80,000.

Ground source heat pumps tend to cost more than traditional gasheating system to install, and are therefore more suitable for areaswith no gas supply, where there will be a significant running costsand CO2 savings compared with electric systems.

The main additional cost in a ground sourced heat pump system isthe installation of the pipes in the ground. Costs vary depending onthe ground conditions and the length and depth that is required forinstallation. The additional costs per house is around £2000 -£3000

The assumed cost of sub metering is £2000 for both a typicalfactory unit (5000m2 production, 1000m2 of office) and for a typicalwarehouse unit (13,000m2 production, 3340m2 office).

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Water Efficient Appliances

Greywater and Rainwater Recycling

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SDS)

Airtight Construction

Reclaimed Construction Materials

Tap inserts to reduce the flow of water can cost as little as £2 whileready made water efficient taps can range form £20 - £ 90depending on manufacturer and performance levels. Flow regulatorsfor basins and shower flow restrictors can cost as little as £10.

The EU energy label gives efficiency information that retailers andmanufacturer must display by law, on all new washing machinesand dishwashers. Guidance ratings of A-G are applied toappliances with A being the most water efficient and G being theleast.

Water efficient washing machines can range between £249 and£350, while water efficient dishwashers can range between £234 to£650. (Industrial & Commercial measures)

It has been estimated that fitting 20 4/6 litre flush toilets in factoryor warehouse units would increase cost by £1200 per building. (Atypical factory unit comprises 5000m2 production, 1000m2 of officeand a typical warehouse unit comprises 13,000m2 production,3340m2 office.)

For exact prices, please seek advice from an independent advisor.

Costs for greywater systems vary according to suppliers. The fittingof a domestic sized system can cost around £3,000.

Rainwater wall mounted water butts made from recycled polythenecan cost up to £100. A range of water butts are available with pricesvary depending on materials, size and design.

A range of products is available and technical advice and methodsof installation should be sought prior to the design of thedevelopment.

For further information please contact Southampton City CouncilBuilding Control on 023 8083 2896.

For further information on how to improve air tightness withinbuildings to meet the requirement set out in Part L of the BuildingRegulations please contact Southampton City Council BuildingControl on 023 8083 2896.

For further information on how to use reclaimed materials andsourcing of such materials to meet the requirements set out in PartL of the Building regulations, please contact Southampton CityCouncil Building Control on 023 8083 2896.


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Cycle storage/Cyclists facilities

Car Clubs

Cycle Lanes

Travel Plans

Commission a BREEAM Assessment orEcohomes Assessment

Passive Stack Ventilation

Whole Mechanical Ventilation systemswith Heat Recovery

Recycling Facilities

Floor and wall mounted bike parking racks costs vary £200-£600depending on size.

A basic stand to accommodate two cycles will cost between £60 - £100.

A covered locker costs around £500 per cycle. A shelter for 20cycles can range from £1,000 – £5,000 upwards.

For exact prices, please seek advice from an independent advisor.

Car clubs can be set up within large-scale developments as acompromise to the reduction of car parking spaces on site. A carclub will also reduce the movement of traffic in and around the siteas it will encourage residents to use a car as and when necessary.

Independent car clubs are also available and can be found online.These could be promoted as part of a marketing scheme for thesale of developments.

For further information the requirements of cycle lane requirementsplease contact Southampton City Council Transport Department on023 8083 2366.

For further information the requirements of travel plans pleasecontact Southampton City Council Transport Department on 0238083 3926.

Design & Procurement Assessment: £2735 base fee plus £135 per1000m2. BREEAM recommend that this is followed by a PostConstruction Review at a cost of £1690 base fee plus £135 per1000m2.

For further information on the requirements of passive stackventilation and installation please contact Southampton City CouncilBuilding Control on 023 8083 2896.

For further information on the requirements of whole mechanicalventilation systems with Heat Recovery please contact SouthamptonCity Council Building Control on 023 8083 2896.

Variety of products are available and should be researched to findthe most appropriate.


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Green Roofs

Improved Building Fabric Insulation

Energy Efficient External Lighting and Controls

Efficient Domestic Appliances

Energy Zoned Heating Controls

The cost of growing materials is in the region of £10-£15/m2. Greenroofs have been shown to reduce heating and cooling costs ofcommercial buildings by up several thousand pounds a year,recovering costs of installation in a relatively short time. A green roofsystem protects the waterproofing membrane from climatic extremesand can almost double its life expectancy, lasting up to 60 years.

(Industrial & Commercial) A 15% improvement over Part L buildingregulation standards for U-values of exposed walls, roof and floorsis estimated to cost £100,000 for a typical 6000m2 factory unit and£300,000 for a typical 16300m2 warehouse unit. A 15%improvement over Part L building regulation standards for U-valuesof glazing is estimated to cost £20000 for the factory unit and£60,000 for the warehouse unit.

A single CFL bulb usually costs between £4 and £12. Grants may beavailable under the Energy Efficiency Commitment Scheme for theinstallation of Low Energy Lighting.

The control devices may cost £10-£20/unit.

Depending on the specific make, model and type of appliance an Arated product may be more expensive to purchase than lesser ratedappliances although this differential is decreasing and in somecases there will be no differential.

Increased cost for installation of thermal zoning is estimated as£1000 for a typical factory unit (5000m2 production, 1000m2 ofoffice) and £3000 for a typical warehouse unit (13,000m2production, 3340m2 office).

Source: http://www.hosted-fabermaunsell.com/sdc/

III. Appendix 2City of Southampton Local Plan Policies

• Sustainable Transport - SDP 2, SDP 4

• Landscaping and Biodiversity – SDP 12

• Land & Building Reuse – SDP 13 (i)

• Green Construction – SDP 13 (ii)

• Energy Minimisation, & Passive & Renewable Energy – SDP 13 (vi), SDP 14, & SDP 17

• Water Efficiency – SDP 13 (vii)

• Waste Management & Recycling (during construction & lifetime of development) – SDP 13 (viii)

• Air Quality: Air Quality Management Areas – SDP 15

• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) – SDP 13 (v)

• Use of Natural Heat & Light – SDP 13 (iii)

• Flood Risk – SDP 20

• Water Quality and Drainage – SDP 21

40

IV. Appendix 3Policy Tools

41

PPS1

PPG3

PPS6

PPS9

PPS12

PPG13

PPS22

PPS23

PPG25

RPG9/Draft SouthEast Plan 2006

Creating sustainable communities

Housing

Town centres

Nature conservation

Local development frameworks

Transport

Renewable energy

Planning and pollution control

Planning and flood risk

Regional Guidance

Move to spatial planning – gives policy backingto evaluate wider environmental issues

Recycling Brownfield landHigh density development

Sequential testing

Incorporation of biodiversity in new development

Increased weight to SPDs over SPGsSustainability appraisalsStrategic environmental assessments

Maximum parking standardsGreen travel plansDevelopment in transport corridors

Requirement for policies to: ‘promote andencourage, rather than restrict’, thedevelopment of renewable energy resources

Precautionary principle

Precautionary principle

Targets for renewable energy generationEnergy assessmentsOn-site renewablesWaste self-sufficiency

Issues for Sustainable DesignDocument

Version 1 Designed, printed & produced by Southampton City Council 08.06.19397

www.southampton.gov.uk

Please only print the minimum number ofcopies required and use recycled paper.

All written information is available, on request,in larger print, Braille on audio tapeand on disk . It is also available in otherlanguages. Please contact 023 8083 4649.

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