Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
The below policies will need to covered when writing a Sustainability Statement. The below recommendations are copied from a Bristol City Council Planning Response. They relate to a large residential development but for the most part the below measures are applied to all scale of development in Bristol. Even converting a terrace house in to 2 flats will require some sustainability reporting.
Core strategy policies relating to sustainability include BCS13-16. In
addition, BCSIO (Transport and Access) also has relevance to
sustainability. The relevant Site allocations and development management
policies supporting the core strategy policies in relation to
sustainability are: DM15, DM17, DM19, DM29.
The comments below relate to key considerations at this stage of the development. Full technical guidance on how to implement the above policies can be found within Bristol City Council's Climate Change and Sustainability Practice note.
All new development should be designed with the future climate in mind through
climate change mitigation & adaptation techniques. Mitigation and
adaptation measures must be integrated into the design.
Energy use — see comments under BCS14 below
Electric Vehicles — The proposed EV charging spaces are supported in line with
policy
Cycle parking — The proposed cycle parking is supported in line with policy
Insufficient information has been provided on climate change adaptation measures. The proposal conserve water through water efficiency measures and limit water use to 1051/p/d is noted and supported. However further information should be provided to demonstrate how the development will meet the following points;
-The layout of the site should be designed to mitigate extreme temperatures brought about by climate change. Orientation, form, massing and planting for shade should be carefully considered so that both internal and external spaces are comfortable in hot weather.
-The building design should mitigate extreme temperatures and risk of overheating brought about by climate change. This should include good thermal mass, living walls and roofs, open able windows,
-Development should minimise flooding through the use of sustainable drainage
systems — please refer to comments from flood risk manager.
-Development should include blue & green infrastructure to both mitigate the urban heat island and reduce surface water runoff. DM15 requires that new GI assets are designed to be multifunctional, and expects the provision of additional and/or improved management of existing trees as part of new development. Minimal green infrastructure is proposed. Further greening is required for example through provision of a green/ green-blue roof with a deep substrate and minimal/no sedum blanket areas.
-Development should avoid responses to future climate impacts leading to increases in energy use (e.g. air conditioning systems).
The calculation methodology (SAP12) is in line with policy, however the baseline energy calculation is not policy compliant. This needs to include a policy compliant heating system, not electric heating as currently included as this results in high baseline emissions compared to other policy compliant heating systems. The calculations must be revised and a revised energy statement and table submitted
The energy efficiency measures proposed are acceptable. Read more on Energy Statement Page.
The heating system proposed (electric heating) does not comply with the BCS14
heat hierarchy. The site is within the heat priority area and nearby to an
emerging heat network in the St Pauls
area and is therefore required to incorporate infrastructure to enable
connection to forthcoming networks in the future. i.e a wet communal
heating system. In accordance with the heat hierarchy, the preference is
for this to be served by a
renewable heating system such as air source heat pumps. These could be
located at roof level.
The proposals set out in the sustainability statement do not set specific
targets for construction waste reduction/diversion from landfill. A Site
Waste Management Plan should be conditioned to include these targets.
The storage for bins and recycling should be provided in line with Bristol
Waste's recvcling planning guidance. — see comments from Bristol Waste on
the proposal.
Water The water efficiency proposals are acceptable. Further consideration
of the use of rainwater harvesting is encouraged.
The proposal for the use of A and A+ -rated BRE Guide materials in 80% of the major building elements as set out in the sustainability statement is supported.
There do not appear to be proposals to enhance
biodiversity or green infrastructure on site. In addition to BS15
requirements about enhancing biodiversity, the Site Allocations and Development
Management Plan also links to biodiversity (DM15 and DM29). Biodiversity
enhancement options could include;
sustainable drainage systems such as green roofs, brown roofs, living
walls, tree pits, swales, attenuation ponds to reduce surface run off and
improve water quality, wildlife areas, the inclusion of bird and bat boxes
and the planting of fruit/ nut bearing trees.
Green roofs should be specified with deep substrate depths to support
a greater variety of species, hold significantly more rainfall, have a
greater thermal mass and have greater evapotranspiration properties.
This policy requires Flood resilience and
surface water management. Please see comments from the
flood risk team