sustainable development guidelinesdemocracy.cambridge.gov.uk/data/environment scrutiny...

CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL Agenda Item 11

Report by: Head of Policy and Projects and Head of Development Services

To: Environment Scrutiny Committee 5 November 2002 Executive Member for the Environment Wards: All

Sustainable Development Guidelines

This report is being submitted to the Scrutiny Committee for prior consideration and comment before decision by the Executive Councillor. 1.0 DECISION TO BE MADE 1.1 To agree the draft guidelines for consultation. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider the recommendations below. The Executive Councillor is asked to approve the recommendations below. 2.1 That the Draft Guidelines attached as Appendix 1 be agreed for public

consultation, subject to any final minor amendments approved by the Executive Member in consultation with the Chair of the Environment Scrutiny Committee and the Environment Spokespersons.

3.0 BACKGROUND 3.1 Cambridge is under considerable development pressure, especially for housing

and activities associated with the knowledge based industries. If the impact of this development, both locally and globally, is to be acceptable it is important that it is more environmentally sustainable than has often been the case in the past. This will be achieved only if: close attention is paid to the use of resources (land, water, energy and other materials; steps are taken to minimise the generation of waste materials and pollutants; and consideration is given to the impact on biodiversity and public accessibility.

3.2 In order to encourage, and indeed require developments to pay serious attention

to sustainability issues, the Council has commissioned guidance from consultants. The Sustainable Development Guidelines are especially important in influencing the process of development control from initial discussions through

to the final decision. The objectives of the Guidelines can also be achieved in part through the Council’s Building Control and Environmental Protection responsibilities. The Guidelines will be used in the review of the Local Plan.

3.3 The Draft Guidelines are attached as Appendix1. These have been prepared to

a very tight deadline and some matters of detail are still not wholly to the satisfaction of your officers. These points should be addressed and amendments agreed with the Executive Member, in consultation with the Chair and Environment Spokespersons.

4.0 CONSULTATIONS 4.1 The Draft Guidelines have been produced with inputs from across the

Environment and Planning Department. 4.2 In order to give the Guidelines greater weight, especially in development control,

wider public consultation must be undertaken. It is proposed that the main parts of this will be:

(a) media publicity; (b) discussion with the County Council; (c) consideration by the Sustainable City Reference Group; and (d) distribution for comments to a range of stakeholders, e.g. the Environment

Agency, local environmental groups and local building industry professionals.

4.3 Consultation will be carried out over six weeks. The results of the consultation

and suggested amendments to the Guidelines will be reported to the Committee and Executive member in January 2003.

5.0 ISSUES AND OPTIONS 5.1 The aim is that issues of environmental sustainability should increasingly

influence the location, scale, form and nature of development in Cambridge. The extent of future growth currently being planned makes this essential. The adopted Guidelines should assume the status of supplementary planning guidance and the main themes will eventually be embodied in the new Local Plan as major statutory land use planning policies.

6.0 REASONS FOR DECISION 6.1 Adoption of a robust set of Guidelines will lead to more sustainable development

in Cambridge and ultimately contribute to better quality of life for local people. 7.0 IMPLICATIONS Financial Implications

7.1 There are no direct financial implications. A budget is available for consultation. Staffing Implications 7.2 There are no direct staffing implications. Equal Opportunities Implications 7.3 It is important to ensure that the consequences of more sustainable development

are experienced equally across the community. This underpins aspects of the Guidelines. The concern to ensure accessibility to new development will assist people who do not have a car.

Environmental Implications 7.4 The aim of the Guidelines is to contribute towards the protection and

enhancement of the local and global environment. Community Safety Implications 7.5 This will be kept under review as the Guidelines are implemented, because potential conflicts may arise, e.g. safety and lighting on open spaces. BACKGROUND PAPERS There are no additional papers. G:\SETUP\COMREPS\Env and Env Scrutiny\bh esc sustainable development guidelines.doc

Appendix 1

CAMBRIDGE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES

Prepared for Cambridge City Council

by Land Use Consultants October 2002

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

Cambridge – a sustainable future 1

Purpose of the Guidelines 1

Who should use the Guidelines? 1

What types of development do the Guidelines address? 2

Status and Implementation of the Guidelines 3

Statement of public consultation 3

How to use the Guidelines 3

Other relevant Cambridge City Council guidance 4

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

Defining sustainable development 5

What are the benefits of sustainable development? 5

SITE APPRAISAL

Cambridge context 7

Selecting the most appropriate site 7

Understanding site characteristics and context 7

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS

Cambridge context 10

Safeguarding townscape character and the historic environment 10

Conserving and enhancing biodiversity 11

Protecting and managing the green space network 12

Managing the risk of flooding 12

Good practice case study 13

SUSTAINABLE USE OF RESOURCES


Conserving energy and switching to renewable energy sources 14

Reducing our demand for water 16

Reducing pollution to air, land and water 16

Good practice case studies 17

SUSTAINABLE ACCESS


Creating people-friendly streets to encourage walking and cycling 20

Restricting car parking provision in new developments 20

Improving access to public transport 21


SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS


Promoting mixed use developments and high densities 22

Re-using buildings 23

Recycling materials and minimising waste 23

Designing and constructing healthy buildings 24


OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

Sustainable development checklist 25

Monitoring the use of these Guidelines 25

REFERENCE TOOLKIT

Standards and good practice guidance 27

Local sustainable development policy 29

Planning policy context 29

Relevant legislation 31

Useful contacts 32

GLOSSARY

Report Page No: 7 Agenda Page No:

Introduction Cambridge – a sustainable future Cambridge is a vibrant city with an international reputation. Its university and research base is world renowned, and the city is one of the region's major business centres. Cambridge is well known for its innovative approach to design, science and technology as well as for its historic buildings, landscape setting, and network of green spaces. It is home to over 100,000 people.

We are very fortunate to have Cambridge as our city. But this gives us a special responsibility. We must make sure that we hand Cambridge on to future generations in a sound and healthy state. Our aim should be to ensure that Cambridge remains an attractive and vibrant place in which to live and work, and that we treasure and improve the quality of its built and natural environment. In doing so, we must seek to reduce our impacts beyond the city boundary, and on the global environment as a whole.

Purpose of the Guidelines Action is required now to ensure that, as the city grows in size and population, its environment is protected and enhanced. The aim of these Sustainable Development Guidelines is to encourage all those involved in delivering development in Cambridge to pursue this Vision.

Cambridge is under strong pressure for development. This involves not only new buildings, but also changes of use, conversions and renovations of existing buildings. Development can have many environmental implications. The City Council is committed to environmental protection and enhancement, and these Guidelines are intended to encourage all development to be planned and carried out in a sustainable way: to minimise impacts on the environment and make best use of natural resources. The City Council is keen to encourage best practice through developments that perform better than minimum standards require, and aims to continue to lead by example.

With its reputation for quality, Cambridge should be at the forefront of change. It should be pioneering sustainable approaches to development, setting benchmarks, and proving that alternative approaches can work. Ultimately and most importantly, Cambridge must show that it is possible, and to everybody’s advantage, to deliver high quality development and better environments at the same time. Who should use the Guidelines? These Sustainable Development Guidelines should be used by all those who are involved in planning and delivering development in Cambridge. They are particularly targeted at: • First and foremost developers, their architects, planning advisers, and agents. • Local authority planners, particularly those involved in development control who have to assess

the acceptability of development proposals. • Those involved in advising on the delivery and operation of developments on the ground, such as

building control and environmental health officers. Together, the work of development control planners, building control, and environmental health can have a significant influence on how sustainable a development is during both construction and in operation. In general terms, development control planners deal with the siting and external appearance of developments, whilst building control officers deal with construction details and the internal environment of buildings. Building control is based on the Building Regulations, which aim to secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people affected by buildings, promote the conservation of fuel and power, and prevent waste, undue consumption, and misuse of contamination of water. Environmental health is responsible for certain aspects of air quality and contaminated land, health and safety in the workplace, and for issues such as noise disturbance in residential areas. Whilst the Guidelines are primarily for Cambridge City Council to influence the development process, there are a number of other organisations that have an important role to play in their effective implementation:

Photo of Cambridge landmark building


• Cambridgeshire County Council is responsible for highways matters, and can help to reduce the

impacts of traffic. • The Environment Agency is responsible for water resources, water quality, waste regulation, and

air quality (with Cambridge City Council). • English Heritage is responsible for advising on the historic environment, such as listed buildings and

archaeological sites. • English Nature is responsible for conserving and enhancing species and wildlife habitats. • The Countryside Agency is responsible for the quality and vitality of the countryside. In addition, there are numerous local bodies, such as the County Wildlife Trust, local residents groups, and other special interest groups who all have a valuable role in ensuring that a sustainable future for Cambridge is secured. The City Council welcomes all those who wish to make a positive contribution to the city, and to work in partnership together to this end. What types of development do the Guidelines address? All developments will be considered in the context of sustainable development. However, for major developments, defined as: • 10 or more dwellings, or a site area of 0.5 hectares or more where the number of dwellings is not

shown. • Other developments where the floor space to be built is 1,000 square metres (gross) or more, where

the site area is 0.5 hectares or more in size. developers will be asked to provide a Statement of Sustainable Development to accompany their planning application, setting out the key sustainable development issues relevant to the development, and describing how they have complied with the Guidelines. They should also complete and submit the Sustainable Development Checklist included in these Guidelines. The City Council will use the checklist to assess the application. It is therefore in the developer’s interest to contact the City Council at the earliest opportunity during pre-application discussions to discuss and clarify how a site should be developed to meet with the requirements of the Guidelines. Applications for major developments will not be registered unless the checklist has been completed to the Council’s satisfaction and a Statement of Sustainable Development has been submitted. Status and Implementation of the Guidelines Sustainable development is now firmly embedded in national, regional and local planning policy. These guidelines respond to government policy in A Better Quality of Life. A Strategy for Sustainable Development in the UK (1999) which sets out the goals of sustainable development and mechanisms to achieve them. National Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) include PPG1 which sets out the national policy approach to sustainable development and design. Other relevant PPGs include PPG3 Housing, and PPG13 Transport. Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia identifies objectives to conserve and enhance the environment and resources of East Anglia to benefit its current and future population and the diversity of its wildlife.

At the local level, the draft Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint Structure Plan seeks to promote a high standard of design and sustainability in new developments (Draft Policy P1/3: Sustainable Design in Built Development). The Cambridge Local Plan (Adopted 1996) has a range of objectives and policies to encourage sustainable development (e.g. Chapter 3, Environmental Overview), which will be further refined during the Local Plan review. The environmental effects of development have always been a key concern of the planning system. Many large scale or significant developments already have to address these in detail through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): a structured way of looking at existing environmental conditions and resources and how these will be affected by development. As part of an EIA ways to reduce impacts must be considered. The Guidelines will be implemented through the planning process, both at the policy level (review of the Local Plan) and through development control (dealing with planning applications).


The Guidelines have the status of Supplementary Planning Guidance, and will help implement Structure Plan and Local Plan policies on sustainable development. This means that they are a material consideration when determining planning applications: they are taken into account when deciding whether or not to grant planning permission. Material considerations are those matters that relate to the use and development of land and are of such relevance that they could lead to: • A proposal being refused planning permission because of the matter in question. • A condition being attached to the planning permission with respect to the matter. • A Section 106 Planning Agreement or planning obligation being required on the basis of the matter. Those aspects of the Guidelines that are considered not to be material to the planning decision are prefaced by a star *. Those covered by Building Regulations are also prefaced by (BR). However, the City Council attaches importance to all these issues and will seek to pursue them, where appropriate, in order to move towards sustainable development. Statement of public consultation Before adopting the Guidelines, the City Council prepared a draft set of Guidelines which were subject to public consultation. This involved [Cambridge City Council to complete]. These Guidelines take into account comments received during this consultation process. How to use the Guidelines The Guidelines highlight issues that should be considered when drawing up policies and development briefs, appraising sites and development proposals. Not all issues will be relevant to every situation, although every effort should be made to address those issues where there is scope to influence outcomes. The Guidelines identify opportunities for mitigation of the impacts of development and for delivering environmental enhancement, giving examples of how this has been achieved in successful projects. The Guidelines include practical ways of implementing the principles of sustainable development at all stages of the development process. The remainder of the Guidelines are divided into the following sections:

• What is sustainable development? • Site Appraisal. • Sustainable Environments. • Sustainable Use of Resources. • Sustainable Access. • Sustainable Buildings. • Overall Environmental Performance.

For each aspect of sustainable development, the Guidelines include an overarching Objective Statement, supported by a set of Guiding Principles that should underpin development proposals. Good practice examples are included to show how these can be achieved in practice. A Sustainable Development Checklist at the end of the Guidelines will help users decide whether they have incorporated sustainable measures – this will be used by the City Council in assessing development proposals. A Reference Toolkit is also included which provides the legal and policy basis for the Guidelines, good practice guidelines and contacts for further information. Other relevant Cambridge City Council guidance Whilst these Guidelines provide a broad perspective on sustainable development issues relating to the environment they do not cover everything that is relevant to the planning decision. The social and economic aspects of sustainable development are addressed through other parts of the planning process, for example through Local Plan policies which encourage economic development and ensure the provision of affordable housing.


In relation to the environment, the City Council has a range of complementary guidance that will also be relevant to developers. This list is continuously being updated, and includes:

• Biodiversity Checklist for Land Use Planners in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (2001): seeks to enable more effective consideration of biodiversity issues when formulating policy, and when considering planning applications.

• Cambridge Landscape Guidelines (1991): a useful tool for understanding the rural landscape surrounding Cambridge and how developments can interact with the countryside.

• Cambridge Lighting Strategy (1999): sets out the ways in which different areas of the city should be lit or kept darker depending on their character and function, and to avoid light pollution.

• Cambridge Walking and Cycling Strategy (2002): seeks to increase the modal share of walking and cycling in Cambridge and reduce the use of the private car.

• Housing Development and Design Guide (2001): seeks to promote the development of high quality housing, maximise opportunities to live in affordable housing close to services, jobs and public transport, create mixed communities and increase the quality of public spaces.

The Reference Toolkit at the end of these guidelines provides further detail of other relevant guidance produced by Cambridge City Council and by other organisations.


WHat is SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT? Defining sustainable development Sustainable development is about delivering: “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”1.

Sustainable development aims to minimise the impact of human activity on the environment as a whole, whilst supporting quality of life. The objectives which together achieve the goal of sustainable development are2: • Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone. • Effective protection of the environment. • Prudent use of natural resources. • Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. In practical terms, this means: • Making better use of previously developed land and buildings in Cambridge, in order to bring back

into productive use those parts of the city that are damaged, neglected or under-used, helping to reduce pressure for development on the countryside.

• Using natural resources (e.g. energy, water, construction materials, etc.) more efficiently, and minimising waste.

• Matching the right types and mix of development with the right locations in order to reduce the need to travel by car.

• Reducing pollution to levels that natural systems can cope with. • Valuing and enhancing our natural environment, and the wildlife it supports. • Conserving our historic environment, and our open spaces. • Making Cambridge more self-sufficient, for example by recycling waste rather than throwing it away,

and by buying local products rather than ones that have to be transported in from long distances. • Ensuring that everybody is able to enjoy healthy living and working environments. • Supporting a thriving economy that is environmentally responsible. What are the benefits of sustainable development? The benefits of sustainable development are wide-ranging. For developers the advantages include: • Smoothing of the planning process – the Local Plan embraces the principles of sustainable

development, so that development proposals that are in accordance with the Local Plan and these Guidelines are more likely to receive approval from the City Council, than development proposals that are not.

• Reduced construction costs – minimising wastage of construction materials, energy, water use, etc. will help to improve profits.

• Increased returns – developments that are of a high quality are more likely to be in demand from prospective buyers or tenants than those that are not, helping to boost development values.

• Improved reputation – local people are more likely to welcome development by those developers who show a track record of caring about the environment.

The longer-term benefits of sustainable development may not always be obvious to developers who are under pressure to make rapid returns from their development projects. However, research has shown that developments that integrate long-term sustainable development considerations are able to command higher values and/or higher rents. For example, most occupiers of developments want to have attractive living and working environments, low maintenance and energy costs, and pride in their surroundings. They will also want reassurance that the development can be re-sold in the future. Investors, business and residents are often willing to pay extra to satisfy these needs.

1 From Our Common Future (the Brundtland Report) - Report of the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford University Press 1987. 2 A Better Quality of Life. A Strategy for Sustainable Development for the UK (DETR, 1999).


From the point of view of local communities, the benefits can be significant. High quality developments can instil a sense of purpose and place, produce healthier environments that uplift people’s spirits, and help to reduce crime and improve safety. They also reduce the burden on the public purse in having to rectify mistakes. The Guidelines are applicable equally as much to affordable housing as they are to market housing and commercial developments, and so those on lower incomes should also be able to benefit from sustainable development. For Cambridge as a whole, high quality sustainable development will help to keep the city at the forefront of the economy, attracting cutting-edge firms, with investment to match. This is good for business, for local people, and for developers. Cambridge thrives on its reputation, but the biggest danger is taking this for granted. We must continually work hard to ensure that the city is a leader in providing a high quality of life.


SITE APPRAISAL OBJECTIVE:

A comprehensive site appraisal should be carried out as a first step to ensure the development of a site maximises its contribution to sustainable development objectives by:

• Selecting the most appropriate site.

• Understanding site characteristics and context.

Cambridge context

It is generally more sustainable to develop brownfield sites than greenfield sites as this helps to make the best and most efficient use of land and buildings. Whilst this is true of Cambridge, the scale of development required under the Structure Plan, and the lack of brownfield sites in the city, means that there will be a need for greenfield development too. It will be important to ensure that: • Greenfield development does not take place at the expense of bringing brownfield sites back into

productive use. • High standards of design are used in all new development, addressing aesthetics, performance /

function and environmental factors. • Site characteristics are understood and respected, and developments make a significant positive

contribution to the character of the area (see the Housing Development & Design Guide). Selecting the most appropriate site It is important to ensure that the right site is chosen for the right development, and that, when development takes place, it is delivered in such a way that it contributes positively to the local area. The Local Plan allocates particular sites for specific uses. This should be used as the first reference point. However, not all sites that are suitable for development will have been identified in the Local Plan. For example, certain sites not previously identified, known as windfall sites, may come forward for development later in the plan period. In considering which site is suitable for a particular type of development, or when considering what is appropriate for a certain site, the following criteria should be used: • Development must be located to reduce the need to travel, especially by car, for example by

providing homes closer to jobs. • Before considering development of a greenfield site, all brownfield alternatives must be thoroughly

investigated. • New development must be compatible with surrounding land uses, in order to reduce potential

conflicts (e.g. avoid locating noisy activities next to homes). Understanding site characteristics and context The location of any development is critical to its success - no site should be viewed in isolation from its surroundings. Whether it is a landmark commercial building which requires excellent access or a housing development needing a safe and attractive environment for children to play, the surrounding context will help determine whether the site is suitable for the proposed use, and how it should be developed. The site appraisal should include an examination of site and its context, and the relationships between the two. Issues to look out for include: • Access to places of employment.


• Access to, and capacity of, community facilities such as shops, schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, etc.

• Pedestrian, cycling, public transport and vehicular networks and access within and to the site. • Surrounding land uses (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, open space, agriculture, etc.). • Existence of and relationship with green networks, such as rivers, streams, woods, meadows, fields,

hedges, etc. • Local building styles, and landscape/townscape character. • Important views (e.g. out to the surrounding countryside or in towards the city). The aim should be to integrate the new development into its surroundings, so that it forges stronger links with the local area and makes efficient use of land, buildings and services. Insert aerial photo of a development site with annotated diagram drawing out contextual features to look out for.

Within the site itself, every effort should be made to design development that is in harmony with any positive characteristics that the site exhibits. Where there are negative aspects to a site, such as a culverted watercourse or contaminated land, developers should seek to bring these back to their full potential (e.g. de-culverting the watercourse to make it a feature of the site, or restoring the contaminated land to productive economic use).

Where the development is likely to have an unavoidable adverse impact upon an environmental feature on the site, by understanding the site characteristics and its context developers will be able to decide how this impact can be mitigated to minimise any damage, and what can be done to compensate.

In terms of the site itself, the following aspects should be considered:

• Existing buildings and their potential for re-use and incorporation into the development. • Topography (slope and aspect), wind speed, and solar radiation, to inform opportunities for energy

conservation. • Ground conditions – stability and soil condition, including potential for remediating contaminated land. • Water features (e.g. rivers, streams, ponds) and drainage. • Air and noise quality. • Archaeological or historic interest, and boundary features. • Existing vegetation/ecological features, and green space, together with their potential. • Existing service infrastructure, and its capacity. • Proximity of potential combined heat and power (CHP) users/providers. Annotated sketch diagram of a typical edge of urban site in Cambridge with labels showing importance of a selection of the above characteristics.


Each site will have different key attributes. Characteristics considered as opportunities on one site may be constraints on another. It is the way these constraints and opportunities combine with one another that will determine the site’s potential for development.

It is likely that the precise format of major development proposals will go through several stages of refinement during the planning and design stages, as the opportunities and constraints of the site become better understood. Throughout the process, developers must aim to continually improve the sustainable development performance of the proposal. The site layout, including access routes, mix and location of different land uses, drainage, building orientation, etc., must be determined in such a way as to make the best use of the site and its context in line with the Guidelines that follow.


sustainable environments OBJECTIVE:

To improve Cambridge’s environmental qualities by:

• Safeguarding townscape character and the historic environment.

• Conserving and enhancing biodiversity.

• Protecting and managing the green space network.

• Managing the risk of flooding.

Cambridge context

The quality of Cambridge’s environment is central to its reputation and image: • The city has almost 1,600 listed buildings, 9

conservation areas, 5 scheduled ancient monuments, and 9 historic parks and gardens.

• The Wildlife Trust has identified 141 sites within Cambridge that are considered to be of wildlife interest, and the Local Plan identifies twelve wildlife corridors in the city.

• There are 267 hectares (660 acres) of public open space, including 93 hectares of Commons.

• In a recent Citizens Panel Survey, 56 % of respondents named its attractive environment as one of the three best things about living in Cambridge, whilst 51% named its parks and other open spaces, and 31% its historic buildings.

Cambridge’s environment is an important influence on people’s quality of life and health, on the ability of the city to attract business, and in helping to retain and strengthen its distinctive identity. New development should therefore seek to respect the environmental qualities that Cambridge has to offer, and to make a positive contribution to these qualities wherever possible. An important component of the green space network is the River Cam and its floodplain. As climate change leads to more erratic weather patterns, the risk of flooding is likely to increase. Cambridge has been hit by episodes of flooding in recent years (e.g. Feb and Oct 2001). With the River Cam floodplain running through the centre of the city it is imperative that further development does not increase the risk of flooding to property and provides sufficient flood storage capacity to prevent flooding elsewhere. Safeguarding townscape character and the historic environment

• New developments must contribute to the city’s character by responding to and taking inspiration from surrounding built development and settings for their layout, scale, density, materials and detailing (see Housing Development and Design Guide).

• When considering the historic environment of Cambridge, attention must be paid not only to the finest examples, such as listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments, but also to the overall character of Cambridge that has been built up over time.

• The overall integrity and character of the wider historic environment must be maintained, including conservation areas, historic parks and gardens, archaeological remains, and features of historic and cultural interest. Particular care should be taken to ensure that small changes do not gradually erode the historic character of Cambridge over time.

Photo of River Cam with Jesus Green in the background.


• Particular care must be taken with development that affects listed buildings, either the building itself or its setting. The aim should be to keep listed buildings in viable use, whilst conserving the essential attributes of the building that give it its special interest.

• New development within the vicinity of listed buildings and in conservation areas must be in sympathy with the buildings, in terms of its scale, massing, design and use of materials (generally natural, locally sourced materials and avoiding the use of plastic (PVCu) windows and doors).

• Similar principles must apply to scheduled ancient monuments, which represent our finest archaeological sites. Every effort must be made to retain the feature in its present location, without damage to its setting.

• Important views from and to listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments, both short and long distance, must not be disrupted by new development.

• Where development is to occur on the edge of the Cambridge, it must respond to the character of the adjacent rural landscape as well as the urban townscape (see also Cambridge Landscape Guidelines).

Conserving and enhancing biodiversity

• The aim of the City Council is to protect important habitats from any adverse impacts arising from new development, and not to allow any loss of protected species (see Biodiversity Checklist). Particular attention will to be paid to Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and species, and those that are designated for their wildlife interest (e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interest and City Wildlife Sites).

• When undertaking new development all sites, whether greenfield or brownfield, should be considered as part of a wider mosaic of habitats that support wildlife.

• Before designing a new development the ecological attributes of a site must be assessed and recorded, including the types of habitat and the species they support, and their links to the surrounding network of habitats. Where protected species are known to exists or are suspected, a detailed survey must be carried out.

• Habitats that must be taken into account include parks and open spaces, meadows and pastures (e.g. unimproved grassland), wildlife corridors (e.g. railway routes, rivers and streams, drainage ditches, road verges, shelterbelts and hedgerows,), wetland (e.g. land liable to flooding, ponds and reedbeds), woodland and individual trees (especially ancient trees). Derelict sites, allotments, buildings and other parts of the urban fabric may have developed wildlife interest over time, which should be taken into account.

• Proposals must show how ecological features on site have been integrated into the design of the development, and how these relate to the ecology of the surrounding area (e.g. wildlife corridors and linking habitats).

• Where possible, developers will be encouraged to enhance existing habitats and create new ones, particularly where they will help to achieve BAP objectives.

• Where damage to habitats is likely to occur, a mitigation strategy to minimise the significance of this damage will need to be agreed with the City Council. Where mitigation cannot take place on site, the developer will be expected to enter into a planning agreement to re-create habitats off-site, and/or to make a financial contribution towards the management of nearby sites.

• Any demolition or construction work must be carried out at the appropriate time of year to avoid disturbance to species (e.g. to roosting bats, or breeding birds).

• Provision must be made to manage retained and new ecological features on the development site (e.g. by drawing up a management plan), and monitoring arrangements must be set up to ensure the success of the habitats.

Protecting and managing the green space network


• The City Council will seek to protect and enhance the green space network of Cambridge, and to improve this network where possible, so that all of Cambridge’s inhabitants have the opportunity to have safe and easy access to green space (see also Planning Obligation Strategy).

• Developers will be expected to safeguard existing green space, and where possible contribute to the open space provision (see Open Space Standards).

• Developers must consider how access to green space, particularly by walking and cycling, can be improved, with particular attention paid to personal safety. Access to the wider countryside should also be considered.

• Where greenfield land is incorporated into a development, developers should aim to incorporate existing features (e.g. hedgerows, trees, views, etc.) as the framework for development and the provision of green space.

• Areas of green space created as a result of development should offer variety and choice, such as formal and informal recreation, wildlife habitats, secluded and open areas of green space.

• Developers will be expected to set out how the management and monitoring of green space included in the development will be achieved.

Managing the risk of flooding

• The City Council will not allow development to take place that may be at a significant risk of flooding, or that increases the risk of flooding to property elsewhere (e.g. further downstream).

• The City Council will seek to ensure that the floodplain of the River Cam, and other watercourses are protected from development, and that their role as areas for the storage of flood waters or for accommodating flood flows will be maintained.

• Developers should work with the City Council and the Environment Agency to incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in all new development to reduce the risk of flooding, and pollution to watercourses. This should be considered at the earliest stages of master planning or layout design.

• When introducing SuDS, developers must ensure that there is no risk to groundwater, particularly where this is abstracted for public water supply.

• SuDS should be integrated into the landscaping of a development, and form part of the network of habitats and open spaces where possible.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Development can cause many impacts on the water environment. One of the most dramatic of these is flooding. SuDS can help manage surface water run off which might otherwise cause flooding and pollution by introducing drainage systems that mimic natural processes rather than piped solutions. SuDS principles deal with rain close to its source, can deal with polluted water, and slow down flows across sites and into watercourses, which also has ecological benefits. The following principles should be considered early on in site layout and design: Minimise runoff and encourage groundwater recharge • Use permeable materials in developments to minimise the amount of runoff, such as porous

pavements and filter drains. • Re-use or recycle water on site (e.g. collect rain water in water butts for domestic gardens; use ‘grey’

water for toilet flushing). Deal with runoff close to where the rain falls


• Use grass swales and basins to provide temporary storage for storm water and facilitate the filtration of pollutants.

• Use balancing ponds and wetlands to accommodate variations in water levels and filter pollutants from the water, and to provide amenity and ecological benefits.

• Use infiltration trenches for enhancing the natural flow of water through a development. • Consider green roofs (e.g. using sedum plants) to reduce the volume and rate of runoff. See Reference Toolkit for sources of further information. Good practice case study Use of Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) – Bognor Regis Sports Centre A sports centre constructed in 1999, which is owned and operated by West Sussex County Council. It includes synthetic sports pitches, a multi-use games area and parking for 136 cars. The total size of the site is approximately 2 ha and the capital value of the scheme was £2.5 – 3M (partly funded by the Lottery grant). The main SuDS used in the scheme are: • Porous paving has been used in the roads and areas of car parking allowing blanket

infiltration. • An infiltration trench has been incorporated accepting the pitch drainage. The scheme works with the sports centre roof and paved areas draining into the porous car parking area. The drainage of both the car park and sports pitches are connected to an infiltration trench that runs along the side of the road. When heavy rain is experienced, excess water flows are stored in the pitch under-drains and the car park sub-base. The benefits of the scheme are: • Reduced flood risk. • Promotion of ground water recharge.


Sustainable use of resources OBJECTIVE:

To safeguard natural resources by:

• Conserving energy and switching to renewable energy sources.

• Reducing our demand for water.

• Reducing pollution to air, land and water.

Cambridge context

We all depend upon natural resources in our everyday lives. We need energy for heat, light and transport, and to power industry, our computers, washing machines, dishwashers, televisions, etc. We need clean water to drink and for washing, and to supply business and agriculture. We need clean air to breathe, and land that is fit for development, agriculture, recreation and wildlife. But modern life puts tremendous pressure on these resources. Many are finite, so that once used they can never be recovered. Others are difficult to clean once they have been polluted, which can have devastating effects on biodiversity, and can also cause health problems in the worst cases. Restoring contaminated sites to productive use can be very costly, and often leads to difficulties in the disposal of polluted soils, and the danger of polluting our aquifers. The burning of fossil fuels (oil, petrol, coal, etc.) contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Society as a whole needs to take a much more responsible approach to the use of natural resources. Our aim should be to reduce the amount of resources that we use, use renewable sources rather than finite ones where possible, and ensure that the resources we do use are not polluted by being careful in the way that we use them. Conserving energy and switching to renewable energy sources • Developments should reduce the effects of wind on heat loss by, for example, grouping buildings

together to avoid gaps, building to a uniform height where appropriate, and by avoiding turbulence created by large buildings.

• In the design process, developers should incorporate passive solar design techniques to maximise the use of solar energy. The internal layout of houses, for example, can make efficient use of natural light by locating living rooms on the sunnier south-facing side, whilst less intensively used rooms such as kitchens can be located on the northern side. The following principles should be adhered to:

o Heating – reduce the need for heating through building orientation, room/interior layout (with floor plan depths of no more than 13 metres where there are windows on two sides).

o Lighting – maximise daylight through window positioning (e.g. roof lights for single storey buildings or the top floors).

o Ventilation – maximise natural venting (e.g. by using windows that open in preference to closed windows and the use of energy intensive air conditioning).

Diagram showing cycle of resources.


• * (BR) Developers must install appropriate insulation to walls, floors, roofs, doors, windows and

window frames (timber window frames are more heat efficient than aluminium or steel). Triple glazing should be incorporated wherever possible.

• * Developers should install energy efficient fixtures and fittings, and heating and lighting energy management systems to allow zoning and timing of appliances.

• * Low embodied energy materials (the energy required to produce a material, including its transportation from source to the development site) should be sought for use in construction.

• * Where energy-intensive materials cannot be avoided, they should be used for their maximum lifespan (e.g. using lime based mortar, rather than cement, enables the re-use of fired materials such as bricks).

• * In buildings where a consistent temperature is required, the core of the building should include a heat holding medium (e.g. large volume of masonry), which can store and release heat.

• All developments should incorporate renewable energy techniques wherever possible. Photovoltaic tiles and solar water heaters, for example, can be used on the roofs of developments to fuel the building’s energy demands.

• * Developers should aim for at least 10% of energy consumption to come from renewable sources.

• In large schemes, particularly those associated with industrial processes, combined heat and power (CHP) systems should be investigated for their use in heating buildings and water. Heat pumps and heat exchangers should be used to extract heat from expelled air, or from the ground or water bodies.

• Other forms of renewable energy should also be considered (e.g. wind and biomass).

Reducing our demand for water

• Developers should incorporate dual water supplies wherever possible, so as not to utilise valuable drinking quality water for tasks which do not require it.

• The use of grey water for toilet flushing will be pursued in developments.

• * Low water use appliances should be installed in new developments, such as flow restrictors to taps, showers rather than baths, reduced capacity toilet flushing systems, and low water use washing machines, dishwaters etc.


• Roofs and other impermeable surfaces should incorporate rainwater collectors and water butts for use in gardens.

• * Planting schemes should include drought tolerant species to reduce the need for watering.

Reducing pollution to air, land and water

Sketch illustration showing the various pollution sources from a development site, and the measures that can be taken to avert pollution.

• All development must aim to prevent pollution at source.

• Development must not contaminate ground or surface water systems, using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) where possible.

• During construction, special attention must be paid to ensure that there is no contamination of air, water, and soils –potentially polluting substances should be identified, controlled and dealt with within the site boundaries.

• Unnecessary disturbance of soils must be avoided (e.g. through removal or compaction by heavy vehicles), and topsoil should be retained and re-used once development is completed.

• The cross-contamination of soils must be prevented by minimising the amount of new soil imported and monitoring its quality and by careful on site storage.

• Sources of air pollution should be minimised as part of new development – pollution from dust, odour and exhaust fumes can be reduced by using screens of vegetation and landscaping to filter dust and chemicals from the air.

• The layout of developments must ensure noisy activities are located away from noise-sensitive activities such as hospitals and housing. The use of screening and sound absorbent materials should be used to minimise noise pollution.

• The lighting of new developments must be carefully designed and laid out to ensure areas are appropriately lit whilst reducing the leakage of light skyward. Lighting must be appropriate to the development’s activities and scale, promote safety on the street, and not disturb wildlife (see Cambridge Lighting Strategy). Particular care should be taken with floodlighting of sports pitches and historic buildings.

Good practice case studies Moving towards renewable energy in London The London Borough of Merton is adopting the country’s first planning policy requiring that renewable energy technology be incorporated into all new business schemes, in its new Unitary Development Plan. The policy requires that new schemes for factories, warehouses, and office development exceeding 1,000m² include a range of renewable energy technology including solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels. The policy states that 10% of consumed energy within the buildings must be sourced from renewable technology. The Borough approved a 5,000m2 office block in Wimbledon that meets with the requirements of this policy in September 2002.


BedZED

Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) in Sutton is a high density, mixed tenure, mixed use development on a former sewage treatment works site that utilises passive solar design and high thermal insulation to minimise energy demand. The development comprises:

• 82, 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom flats and houses for sale and rent. • 1600 square metres of work space. • An on-site shop, cafe, sports facility, healthy living centre and childcare facility are

planned. • Plenty of green space, including private gardens. The development has a district-heating network supplied by a small combined heat and power unit burning forestry wastes. This provides space heating and hot water. Photovoltaic panels have been incorporated into the roofs of the conservatories. These provide electricity for electric vehicles used by residents. The development is a net exporter to the grid of renewable electricity, which compensates for the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transport use of residents. This means that BedZED can claim to be a 'carbon neutral' development. Key BedZED features include:

• Where possible building materials selected from natural, renewable or recycled sources and wherever possible brought from within a 35-mile radius of the site.

• A combined heat and power unit able to produce all the development’s heat and electricity from tree waste (which would otherwise go to landfill).

• Energy-efficient design - with the houses facing south to make the most of the heat from the sun, excellent insulation and triple-glazed windows.

• A water strategy able to cut mains consumption by a third - including installing water saving appliances and making the most of rain and recycled water.

• A green transport plan which aims to reduce reliance on the car by cutting the need for travel (e.g. through internet shopping links and on-site facilities) and providing alternatives to driving such as a car pool.

• Recycling bins in every home. Converting to renewable energy sources in Cambridge Cambridge City Council has begun to use renewable energy. Self Build Solar Workshops were run for Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council in March 2002 by the National Energy Foundation. Householders, developers and others who came for the weekend session were not only able to learn how to construct a solar water heating panel but went home with the examples they built themselves. This led to a first for Cambridge City Council - four of these solar panels are being installed in a council house in Kendal Way. At the same time, Cambridge Sustainable City is funding eight photo voltaic panels which convert heat from the sun directly into electricity for another council house in Cameron Road. Monitoring from such pilot schemes will show the real benefits they bring so may be followed by further renewable schemes.


sustainable access OBJECTIVES:

To reduce the need to use the car by:

• Creating people-friendly streets to encourage walking and cycling.

• Restricting car parking provision in new developments.

• Improving access to public transport.

• Addressing access for all.

Cambridge context

Cambridge suffers from high volumes of traffic and congestion and this is one of the main areas of concern among local people. Congestion has direct impacts upon health and quality of life: rising traffic volumes also increase pedestrian and cyclist vulnerability to accidents and poor air quality affects those with respiratory diseases. Fumes from heavy traffic also have an adverse effect on the fabric of historic buildings.

The continued growth of Cambridge, combined with the city’s historic street pattern, presents a major challenge. Development should focus on prioritising alternative transport modes to the car, in particular walking and cycling, whilst ensuring that this does not discriminate against less mobile members of the community, including those with disabilities.

The City Council has prepared Area Transport Plans which set out the major developments which are likely to take place within different sectors of Cambridge. These are linked to the transport schemes which will be required to accommodate the extra journeys generated.

Area Transport Plans spread the cost of new infrastructure projects such as park and ride schemes between all major developments in the area, in order that the Council can collect sufficient money to build them through Planning Obligation Agreements (Section 106 Agreements) attached to planning permissions for major developments.

Major development proposals must include a movement strategy as part of the planning application. This should show how priority circulation for bicycles and pedestrians will be achieved within the site, with attractive, direct and convenient connections to existing routes beyond the development site itself, while ensuring good access for service and emergency vehicles.

These Sustainable Development Guidelines deal with new development proposals requiring planning permission. The management of existing traffic is addressed separately through the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan.

Creating people-friendly streets to encourage walking and cycling

• Where appropriate, the ‘Home Zone’ concept should be considered for housing schemes to reduce the dominance of cars, create a more attractive streetscape and allow visible informal playing and socialising areas for children and adults respectively.

• Where new access roads need to be created as part of a scheme, they must be sensitively designed so as to have least environmental impact, for example on neighbouring properties. The potential for conflicts between transport modes – for example between vehicular traffic and cycles, and between

Photograph of cyclists and bicycles parked within the city centre Over 20% of all journeys are made by bicycle in Cambridge, a much higher proportion than the rest of the UK.


each of these and pedestrians – should be designed out by providing separate designated paths or by using surfacing or white lines to divide shared paths. (see also County Council Design Guide).

• ‘Natural’ traffic calming techniques must be designed into a development from the initial layout or master planning stage, through street enclosure, location of buildings, orientation of roads, road narrowing and changes in road surfaces. This reduces traffic speeds and avoids the need for heavily engineered ‘add-on’ schemes. Traffic calming schemes must be cycle and pedestrian friendly.

Insert plan of concept drawings showing movement strategy for development

(Request from City Council)

• Direct, convenient pedestrian and cycling connection to primary arterial routes.

• Walkways and cycleways are not separate from main roads.

• Indicative location for bicycle parking.

Insert illustration of cycle and walkway adjacent to main routes

• Pedestrian and cycle routes along the main street – people presence and street vitality.

• Routes overlooked and well lit for safer streets.

• Conveniently located cycle parking provision.

• Tree lined routes

Restricting car parking provision in new developments

• The need for car parking must be carefully evaluated. The Council uses maximum car parking standards in line with Government guidance in PPG13.

• Around major transport interchanges (e.g. Cambridge rail station) car-free development will be possible. In other cases where good access to public transport is available car parking standards will be severely reduced. Suitable areas for car-free or reduced parking standards will be identified as Transport Development Zones in the Cambridge Local Plan. These will apply to both residential and other parking spaces.

• Measures to reduce parking for business premises include ‘Travel to Work Plans’, which must be prepared for major commercial developments to encourage reduced car use, where possible in partnership with neighbouring businesses.

• Secure cycle storage must be provided in residential areas either as communal parking or within individual homes and at destination points such as centres for public transport, places of work, shops, leisure centres etc., together with changing and shower facilities.

Improving access to public transport

• Development proposals must indicate how a scheme will be serviced by and connected to existing public transport networks.

• Where existing public transport provision is inadequate, developers should consider how new public transport provision can be incorporated into a scheme.

• Public transport services must be easily accessible by cycle and on foot to deter travelling to transport centres by car. The most direct routes to public transport in development proposals should be those for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Pedestrian paths and cycle lanes must be, pleasant to use, visible and appropriately lit to allow natural surveillance. They should be wide enough for shared use when appropriate, and attached to main roads for street vitality (see County Council Design Guide).


Good practice case study University Colonnade – West Cambridge

The Colonnade is a central architectural idea of the original master plan for West Cambridge. It will provide a link between the major focal points of the development for walkers and cyclists. This project aims to power the West Cambridge Bus Service from photovoltaic (PV) cells mounted on the roof of the Colonnade. The Hydrogen Fuel-Cell bus would be refuelled with hydrogen generated by the Solar Hydrogen Process. This would be the largest demonstration of urban integrated PV technology in the UK and part of the largest Solar Hydrogen project in the world. The intention is to increase visibility of PV technology in an urban context and improve quality of life in Cambridge through lower noise and emission of greenhouse gases.

This project would supply a steady flow of electricity to the grid and use the excess to produce hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.

The scheme has won European Union funding for its ‘zero carbon rating’ transport system (it will not generate carbon dioxide or require the burning of fossil fuel).

Sketches/diagrams and plans available from www-building.arct.cam.ac.uk


sustainable buildings OBJECTIVE:

To make the most efficient use of land, buildings and materials by:

• Promoting mixed use development and high densities.

• Re-using buildings.

• Re-using construction materials and minimising waste.

• Constructing healthy buildings.

Cambridge context

Historically development in the centre of Cambridge has been compact, with high quality green space interwoven into the urban fabric. However, since the car became an everyday mode of transport, it has been easier to build development at lower densities as people could travel greater distances between their work and their homes. This led to low density suburban and ribbon development, and incremental urbanisation of the countryside. The Cambridge Green Belt was introduced to prevent from this from continuing. The focus now is on making better and more efficient use of land, within both existing built-up areas and where greenfield development has to take place. This means more emphasis on mixed-use developments, allowing people to live in close proximity to their work and their everyday needs such as shopping, and on increasing the density of development, but to a high design quality.

Taking a sustainable approach to building form and design must occur at all stages of the development process - starting with concept design and preliminary planning and continuing on through to scheme completion. Wherever possible, buildings must be re-used rather than being replaced. Indeed, over 50% of construction work in Cambridge consists of the alternation, refurbishment and maintenance of existing buildings. In all cases, materials must be chosen to fit their context, and re-used or recycled where possible. Healthy buildings provide better living and working environments and can ensure they have a longer useful life.

Promoting mixed use developments and high densities

• When appropriate to their scale and function, major developments should provide a mix of facilities. This could include housing, employment uses such as offices, shops and community facilities. Mixed-use developments can reduce the need for people to travel by car, either within or beyond their local community, for their everyday needs. This is particularly important for less mobile members of the community, and also promotes street vitality and community safety.

• Major new developments should demonstrate how they will contribute to the mix of uses within the local area (see also Housing Development and Design Guide).

• When planning a new residential development the master plan should aim to provide a good variety of community services and facilities within convenient access of all homes by foot, cycling or public transport. These may include a convenience food shop, primary school, playground, local meeting place, medical centre and chemist, public house and cash-point. Guidance on the appropriate minimum distances to community facilities and the requirements for play space and other public open space is set out in the Local Plan.

• Promoting high densities of development is important to ensure the efficient use of land, make best use of urban brownfield sites and reduce the need for development on greenfield sites. In areas where the grain of development is characterised by terraced housing or other high density development, or where there is good access to public transport, higher densities of housing and other development will be encouraged (See also Housing Development and Design Guide).

Re-using buildings

• Existing buildings contribute to the special character of an area and its ‘sense of place’ - they may be local landmarks or a focal point for the community. Every effort must be made by developers to include and incorporate such buildings or structures into a new scheme.


• Where the proposal is for a change of use, developers must consider the feasibility of changing the internal composition of the building to accommodate the new use, for example the division of redundant commercial buildings for residential space, rather than deciding to demolish the building. However, in some cases demolition may be the most sustainable solution (e.g. if a building is out of keeping with its surroundings, and a replacement building that uses land and other resources more efficiently can be delivered).

• Where upper floors of properties are empty such as flats located over shops their conversion and refurbishment should be considered to make best use of space.

• New buildings should be capable of conversion to alternative uses during their life, or in the case of houses or flats should be capable of being adapted to the needs of different residents (e.g. to accommodate elderly relatives). The location of stairs and services should be carefully chosen to maximise flexibility.

Recycling materials and minimising waste

• Where the re-use of existing buildings and structures is inappropriate and demolition is required the maximum quantity of construction materials must be salvaged, recycled and re-used on the site. Materials which should be re-used in buildings include stone and bricks; demolition rubble should be re-used as hardcore for foundations or hard surfaces. Re-using and recycling materials reduces the demand for new materials and directly reduce energy consumption in the production process.

• * As well as the efficient auditing of materials imported to a site, auditing of exported material (in terms of waste) should also be incorporated into the construction phase to avoid unnecessary off-site disposal and associated costs.

• Wherever possible, materials brought onto a site should be sourced from local suppliers to avoid unsustainable heavy-goods transportation for the importing of products. Developments should make use of natural and ecological building materials and specify environmentally sound suppliers.

• Housing developments should include provision for household recycling, for example providing compost bins as a design standard to encourage the composting of organic material. Recycling facilities should be attractively designed provide facilities for mixed recycling, and may be communal.

• Where new materials are used in a development, developers must consider their lifespan and potential for re-use in the future should the buildings be subject to demolition.

• Housing developments should comply with the Eco Homes Environmental Rating promoted by the Building Research Establishment. Office developments should comply with the BREEAM (Buildings Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Office 98 standard. BREEAM are also available for other types of development (See Reference Toolkit).

Designing and constructing healthy buildings

• Healthy buildings improve comfort and well-being for occupants reducing the risks of ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ and can increase the life span of buildings.

• * (BR) Buildings must be durable and made of inert material to reduce environmental health risks in the light of potential future demolition. They also ensure that buildings fulfil standards relating to toxic substances, sound insulation, heat insulation and ventilation.

• * (BR) Certain construction materials can have side effects on building occupants. Volatile compounds (found within synthetic fabrics, paints, solvents and glues) for example can have negative impacts, particularly in buildings where there is poor natural ventilation.

• Natural ventilation in buildings has environmental and economic benefits as well as positive impacts on health and comfort and should be incorporated into development design in place of air conditioning systems.

• When appropriate, new developments should ensure building aspect, internal layout, including the use of atria in large buildings, and the position of windows make the best possible use of natural light.


Not only will good use of natural light reduce the need for artificial illumination, thus cutting energy costs, but it also provides a more pleasant working and living environment.

Good practice case study Ionica Building, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge

This office building was constructed in 1994 by the RH Partnership. It is an example of a healthy building which includes a natural heating and cooling system comprising 6 ventilation towers.


overall environmental performance Sustainable development checklist

On these two pages is a checklist for use by developers and planning officers to assess how far a development proposal achieves the sustainable development objectives set out in these Guidelines. It uses the same headings as the Guidelines and should be completed by developers and submitted alongside the planning application. It should also be used by developers to inform their Sustainable Development Statement, which should identify the key sustainable development issues relevant to the development, and how these will be addressed. Key issues may include: density of development, sustainable drainage, the retention of a historic building on site, the use of recycled materials, energy efficiency and access to public transport. Monitoring the use of these Guidelines

To find out whether these Guidelines are effective on the ground in helping to deliver sustainable development it is important to monitor how they are used. The performance of the Guidelines will be monitored through regular analysis of the checklist responses. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST

Will the proposed development comply

with the Guidelines by / through:

Yes or

No?

If ‘No’ please state why not. If ‘Yes’ please state how.

For

Internal Monitoring

Only Site appraisal Selecting the most appropriate site?

Understanding site characteristics and context?

Sustainable environments Safeguarding townscape character and the historic environment?

Conserving and enhancing biodiversity?

Protecting and managing the green space network?

Managing the risk of flooding?

(Checklist continues on next page) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHECKLIST (Continued)

Will the proposed development comply

with the Guidelines by / through:

Yes or

No?

If ‘No’ please state why not. If ‘Yes’ please state how.

For

Internal Monitoring

Only


Sustainable access Creating people-friendly streets to encourage walking and cycling?

Restricting car parking provision in new developments?

Improving access to public transport?

Addressing access for all?

Sustainable use of resources Conserving energy and switching to renewable energy sources?

Reducing our demand for water?

Reducing pollution to air, land and water?

Sustainable buildings Promoting mixed use development and high densities?

Re-using buildings?

Re-using construction materials and minimising waste?

Constructing healthy buildings?

For Development Control use only Are the key sustainable development issues identified and addressed by the Statement?

If you have any comments on the Guidelines please write these below: ……………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..


reference toolkit This section is a sustainable development reference ‘toolkit’ setting out:

• Standards and good practice guidance

• Local sustainable development policy

• Planning policy context

• Relevant legislation

• Useful contacts

Standards and good practice guidance

General

Sustainability checklist for developments: A common framework for developers and local authorities, BRE Centre for Sustainable Construction, DTLR & DTI, 2002.

Building a Better Quality of Life – a strategy for more sustainable construction, DETR, 2000.

Sustainability in Development Control: A Research Report, The Local Government Management Board, 1997.

Our urban future: putting the environment at the heart of urban renewal, Environment Agency, 2002.

Sustainable Settlements – a guide for planners, designers and developers, University of West of England & Local Government Management Board, 1995.

Sustainable environments A guide to the principles of the conservation of historic buildings, British Standard BS 7913, 1998. By Design: Urban Design in the Planning System: Towards Better Practice, DETR, 2000.

Urban Design Compendium, Llewelyn Davies for English Partnerships and The Housing Corporation, 2001.

The value of urban design, CABE & DETR, 2001.

Green Spaces, Better Places, DTLR, 2002. Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice, DETR, 1997.

Planning for Biodiversity – Good Practice Guide, RTPI, 1999. Biodiversity Checklists, Cambridgeshire County Council & Biodiversity Partnership for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, 2001. Sustainable Urban Extensions through Planned Design, The Prince’s Foundation, 2000. Guidelines for baseline ecological assessment, Institute of Environmental Assessment,1995. Good Practice Guide for Prospective Developments – General Principles, RSPB, 1997. Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England and Scotland, The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Assessment, 2002. Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) guidance: - C633 Clients’ Guide for Building on Brownfield Sites (due to be published 2002) - C553 Contaminated Land Risk Assessment - C640 Innovative non-biological techniques for contaminated land – case studies


- C625 Biological treatment for contaminated land – case studies. Sustainable use of resources Planning for Passive Solar Design, Terence O’Rourke for BRECSU Photovoltaics in Buildings; A Design Guide, Max Forsham & Partners for ETSU,1999. Low Water Usage in Buildings: Guidance on Site Drainage Design, DTI & Partners, 2001. Water Resources for the Future: Anglian Region Summary, Environment Agency, 2000. The Air Quality Archive: http://labernum.aeat.co.uk/archive/ Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/ppg Code of Practice on Particulate Emissions, Building Research Establishment, 2000. Sustainable transport

A New Deal for Transport – Better for Everyone, Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1998.

Transport 2010 – The 10 Year Plan, Department for Transport, 2000.

Streets for All, English Heritage, 2000.

Transport development areas: Guide to good practice, RICS, 2000.

Design Bulletin 32: Layout of Residential Roads and Footpaths, DoT, 1992.

Places, Streets & Movement. A companion guide to Design Bulletin 32. Residential roads and footpaths, DETR, 1998.

Housing Estate Road Construction Specification, Cambridgeshire County Council, 2001 (County Council Design Guide).

Sustainable buildings

Building Regulations and Historic Buildings – balancing the needs of energy conservation with those of building conservation: and Interim Guidance Note on the application of Part L, English Heritage 2002. Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) publications: - BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) 98 for Offices. - EcoHomes: The environmental rating for homes, 2000. - The Green Guide to Specification, 2002. - The Green Guide to Housing Specification, 2000. - Transport and Buildings: The environmental impact, 1999. There are BREEAM for other types of development including superstores, new industrial units and homes, all available from Construction Research Communications at the Buildings Research Establishment (See Contacts). Centre for Sustainable Construction Energy efficient building services and fabric for historic buildings: a good practice guide for historic and traditional buildings Chartered Institute of Buildings Services Engineers (forthcoming) Eco Homes – the Environmental Rating for Homes, BRE, 2000. Natural Ventilation in Buildings – A Design Handbook, Allard, F, 1998. Local sustainable development policy

Local Agenda 21 – What on earth is a sustainable city – a guide to decision making addressing the three E’s: Environment, Economy and Equity. 1998.


Local Agenda 21 looks at objectives and principles and provides indicators concerning the relationship between social and environmental issues. Central to Local Agenda 21 is for all members of the city’ community to be involved and empowered in the decision making process to helping shape Cambridge’s future.

Cambridge City Council Environment Plan

Forming part of Cambridge Sustainable City (Cambridge City Council’s programme of working with partners and the community of Cambridge to improve the environment), the Environment Plan provides six different objectives: raising awareness of environmental issues, promoting the sustainable use of land, promoting sustainable transport, minimising environmental damage, minimising pollution and making a difference to environmental performance.

Planning policy context

The Development Plan

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint Structure Plan Review (Deposit Draft) 2002 –Planning for Success

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Joint Structure Plan - Policy P1/3 Sustainable Design in Built Development seeks to promote a high standard of design and sustainability in new developments through reducing the need to travel, providing a sense of place, making efficient use of energy and resources and taking account of community requirements. Cambridge Local Plan (Adopted 1996)

Cambridge City Local Plan – the current Local Plan has a range of objectives to encourage sustainable development, which will be further refined during the Local Plan review. Consideration is given to sustainable development in a number of chapters within the local plan but Chapter 3 Environmental Overview is particularly important for setting the ‘sustainability’ scene. The Local Plan also includes: Criteria for the designation of city wildlife sites (1995). Open Space standards (see also below). Parking standards (1995). Local Transport Plan

Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006

Area Transport Plans 2000 –

Supplementary Planning Guidance

Access Design Guide, 1992. Biodiversity Checklist for Land Use Planners in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, 2001, Biodiversity Checklist Developer’s Guidance, 2001, and Biodiversity and Householder Planning Applications, 2001. A series of checklist publications for use when drawing up development proposals and by planning officers when assessing planning applications in relation to biodiversity. Cambridgeshire Landscape Guidelines – A Manual for Management and Change in the Rural Landscape, 1991. Although focusing on the rural landscape, the Cambridgeshire Landscape Guidelines are a useful tool for understanding landscape character context and particularly pertinent for development proposals sited on or near to the city’s edge at the urban/rural interface.

Cambridge Lighting Strategy, 1999. The strategy includes advice on how to avoid light pollution. The Cambridge Shopfront Design Guide, 1997. Major changes to shopfronts can have a negative effect on the appearance of the street, and cumulatively on the city centre as a whole. This guide shows how changes can be made in harmony with the character of historic buildings and streets. Cambridge Walking and Cycling Strategy, 2002. This guidance seeks to increase the modal share of walking and cycling in Cambridge and reduce the use of the private car. Mechanisms to achieve this aim


are promotion, building walking and cycling networks, integration with land use planning, integration with public transport and the supporting measures targeted at the reduction of crime and the fear of crime. Housing Development and Design Guide, Cambridge City Council, March 2001. This guide recognises the desperate shortage of land for new housing within Cambridge and sets out principles that the City Council expects developers to follow when putting forward proposals for new housing on urban sites. Sustainable development is considered throughout the document. Chapters include: Site Context and Character, Public Participation and Environmental Responsibility.

Open Space Standards – Guidance for their interpretation and implementation., 2002. Updated every year

Planning Obligation Strategy, 2002. The Protection of Open Space in Cambridge, 2000. This document assesses open space protected under Local Plan policy for their environmental and recreational importance. Public Art, 2002. Roof Design Guide, 2001. Regional Planning Guidance

Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia to 2016 (2001)

RPG6: Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia to 2016 sets out the following objectives: • Environment: to conserve and enhance the environment of East Anglia for the benefit of its

population and the diversity of its wildlife; • Resources: to conserve resources to meet the anticipated long-term needs of current and future

generations as a contribution towards global sustainability; • Economy: to reduce imbalances and promote the appropriate development of the economy and

social progress and thus improve the well being, prosperity and quality of life for the people in East Anglia.

Sustainable Development Framework for the East of England prepared by The East of England Regional Assembly (2001) sets social, environmental, economic and resource objectives for the region. These include aims to:

• Protect and maintain the most valuable regional assets. • Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. • Use natural resources as efficiently as possible. • Re-use finite resources or recycled alternatives wherever possible and minimise waste creation.

National Planning Policy Guidance

A Better Quality of Life, DETR, 1999 - sets out the UK's sustainable development strategy. Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs), including:

PPG1: General Policy and Principles –1997

PPG2: Green Belts –1995

PPG3: Housing - 2000

PPG9: Nature Conservation – 1994

PPG10: Waste Management - 1999

PPG13: Transport –1994

PPG15: Planning and the Historic Environment –1994


PPG16: Archaeology and Planning - 1990

PPG22: Renewable Energy - 1993

PPG23: Planning and Pollution Control - 1994

PPG24: Planning and Noise –1994

PPG25: Development and Flood Risk –2001

Relevant legislation

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - sets the context for the plan-led development system.

Planning and Compensation Act 1991 - Introduced the requirement of S54a: that all planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) England and Wales Regulations 1999 - implementation of European Legislation on the assessment of environmental impacts of development.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - protection of birds, other animals and plants.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 - new provision for public access to the countryside, amending the law related to public rights of way, and amending the law related to nature conservation and the protection of wildlife.

The Environment Act 1995 (c.25) - Includes the integrated pollution prevention and control, and contaminated land regime.

Building Regulations 2000 – Building Regulations provide minimum standards of both design and building work for all types of building. They also include requirements to account for energy conservation, and provide access facilities for people with disabilities. Practical and technical advice on how to meet requirements can be found in separate documents, called ‘Approved Documents’. Some of these are listed below.

Approved Documents:

F: Ventilation (1995)

H: Drainage and Waste Disposal (2002)

L: Conservation of fuel and power (2002)

L1: Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings (2002)

L2: Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings (2002)

M: Access and facilities for disables people (1999)

Approved Document for Regulation 7 Materials and workmanship (1999).

Useful contacts

Association for Energy Conscious Buildings: www.aecb.net Biodiversity Partnership (01223 717701) Cambridge City Council (01223 457000) Cambridgeshire County Council (01223 717111) Centre for Sustainable Construction, Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) (01923 664462) Combined Heat and Power Association: www.chpa.co.uk


Construction Industry Research & Information Association: www.ciria.org.uk Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme: www.energy-efficiency.gov.uk/index.cfm Energy Saving Trust: www.est.org.uk English Nature (01733 405850) Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Robert Bray Associates: www.sustainabledrainage.co.uk Wildlife Trust – Conservation Officer (01223 712401) UK Climate Change Programme: www.defra.gov.uk


Glossary Accessibility – The ease with which people can travel to any given location by different modes of transport.

Affordable housing – Housing which is below normal market price and may be for sale, part ownership or rent through a housing association. Affordable housing enables workers on lower pay, or other people on low incomes to live in Cambridge when they would otherwise be required to look further away for a home they can afford.

Aquifer – A layer of rock or soil which can hold or transmit large volumes of water.

Biodiversity – The variety of plants and animals that makes up the natural environment, including species richness, ecosystem complexity, and genetic variation.

Brownfield land – Land and buildings which have been previously used for development, except for agricultural buildings.

CO2 – Carbon dioxide.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) – A system that uses the waste heat of electricity production, often from industrial processes, to provide hot water and heating for neighbouring buildings.

Commuted payment – A sum of money which can be used to improve community facilities, e.g. provide a play area or car parking, which may be off-site. Normally associated with a planning permission and secured through a planning obligation agreement (see below).

Conservation area – A defined area of special architectural or historical interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

Contaminated land – Soils that contain accumulations of substances that are likely to be harmful to people or to nature.

Density – The floorspace of a building or buildings or some other unit measure in relation to a given area of land.

Development brief – Guidance for developers and other interested parties about how a site or area should be developed and about constraints and opportunities of the site. Development briefs build on Local Plan policies and may include, for example, appropriate uses, building height and massing, materials, access and landscaping.

Embodied energy – The amount of energy used in the extraction, manufacture, transport, assembly and disposal of materials.

Greenfield land – Land, often (but not necessarily) in agricultural use, that has not been for developed in the past.

Greenhouse gas emissions – Releases of pollutants and gases, such as CO2, into the atmosphere, leading to climate change.

Grey water – Water that may be reused for another use without being fully cleaned first – e.g. for toilet flushing.

Home zone – A housing area in which the streets have been made more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists by reducing speed limits (usually to 20 miles per hour), and by reducing the space available to cars. Informal play and meeting areas may also be provided in or along the streets.

Infrastructure – Essential services and equipment, such as electricity, gas, roads, railways, required to support the operation of development.

Landmark – A building or feature that is particularly conspicuous or that gives an area its distinctiveness.

Landscape – The character and appearance of land, including its shape, form, ecology, natural features, colours and elements and the way that these combine.

Local distinctiveness – The defining characteristics of a locality that together distinguish it from neighbouring localities.


Listed building – A building of historic or architectural importance which it is important to preserve and enhance.

Major development – A development of more than 10 houses or 0.5 hectare, other development over 1,000 square metres floorspace or more than 1 hectare, mineral workings, waste development and road or rail facilities.

Massing – The combined effect of the height, bulk and silhouette of a building or group of buildings.

Mixed use – A development which includes a variety of land uses, e.g. housing, offices, shops and community facilities.

Mitigation – Techniques used to reduce the adverse impacts of a development, usually on the environment.

Passive solar design – Using the orientation of a building and its design and materials to maximise natural heat gain from the sun.

Permeable surfaces – Roads, pavements, etc., which can let water filter through them.

Photo voltaic cells – The use of special cells that can generate electricity using energy from the sun.

Planning obligation (Section 106) agreement – An agreement between the Local Planning Authority (Cambridge City Council) and the applicant which requires the provision of e.g. public open space, affordable housing or a commuted payment towards transport improvements, as part of a planning permission. It covers matters that cannot be required by a condition to a planning permission.

Sense of place – The cultural, environmental, and historic characteristics of an area that give it its local identity.

Scheduled ancient monument – Archaeological features that are considered by English Heritage, the Government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, to be of such heritage value that should be protected.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest – Wildlife habitats or geological features that are considered by English Nature, the Government’s statutory adviser on nature conservation, to be of such value to society that they should be protected.

Sustainable development - development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) – Techniques used to control surface water run-off as close to its origin as possible, before it enters a watercourse or groundwater. This involves moving away from traditional piped drainage systems to engineering solutions that mimic natural drainage processes.

Townscape - The character and appearance of built-up areas, including their shape, form, density, massing, green space, natural features, colours and elements and the way that these combine.

Traffic calming – Measures applied to slow down traffic.

Transport development zone – Areas in which high density, mixed use development, with no or minimal car parking, is allocated close to major transport interchanges.

Vernacular – Design techniques, styles and use of materials in buildings that are characteristic of a particular location (e.g. high pitched roofs, use of flint, etc.).