This Guide is written for everyone involved in the development and planning process in the North East. Whether you are planning a house extension or a major new business park, your choices matter.
| The Guide has been structured to allow you to:
Read the whole site, following the development process from start to finish;
Go directly to the section dealing with the part of the development process, or key topic area that interests you most;
Dip in to check the key principles of Sustainable Development listed as 'Rules of Thumb' within each chapter. |
Key references, contacts and further reading are listed under 'Sources of Info'. They provide a route to further help and information.
What is Sustainable Development?
Norway's Prime Minister Mrs. Brutland famously defined Sustainable Development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
This principle now underpins Sustainable Development world-wide and has become the heart of planning policy for development proposals and land use / transport planning in every sense.
The UK Government's Strategy for Sustainable Development is based on integrating and achieving four broad objectives:
- Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- Effective protection of the environment
- Prudent use of natural resources; and
- Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
Why Does It Matter?
A more sustainable pattern of development is vital to us all, and can bring specific benefits to:
- Globally and Nationally: the decisions we take on individual developments add up to a crucial series of impacts on the whole planet;
- Regionally and Locally: better development means a better quality of life and a fairer society;
- For developers and investors: financial and community advantages.
Globally and Nationally - Sustainability Matters
| Climate Change (global warming): is widely seen as the single largest environmental problem we face. If emissions of greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide CO2) continue to rise, by the year 2100 average global temperatures will have risen by up to 3.5oC.
Sea levels will rise and the number of people at risk of flooding will rise from 46 million to 118 million. There will be many more natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and droughts. These will not be confined to developing nations, but affect all countries.
New development, transport, household energy use and reduction of natural forest cover all affect greenhouse gas levels. The UK Government is committed to a target of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, from 1990 levels, by 2010. | |
Resources and Waste: Cities and towns in the developed world waste vast amounts of resources. Over 60% of the 145 million tonnes of waste produced by UK households each year go to landfill. In British cities we recycle 8% of our waste, whereas European cities average 40-50%; even in America 35% of waste is recycled, through waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.
Resources in Building: in the UK, buildings account for 50% of primary energy use (CO2 output) and the construction industry uses the equivalent of 6 tonnes of building materials annually for each member of the population. Efficient use of energy and resources can have an impact on every aspect of the design and construction process.
Environmentally-sound building materials and the use of local materials can reduce the 'embodied energy' in a building (the energy required to manufacture and transport the materials) as well as stimulating the local economy.
| The Wildlife Resource: a combination of development and changes in farming practice has reduced and impoverished available wildlife habitats, so that many wildlife populations have declined dramatically.
The decline varies from species to species, so that for example skylarks and marsh fritillary butterflies are still a serious concern, whilst otter and woodpigeon numbers are stable or growing.
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The overall trends however remain a worry, and more habitat creation is still necessary. Development which sustains biodiversity not only protects the natural environment and keeps our world species-rich; it has been proven to reduce stress levels in humans and improve the quality of life.
| Health: asthma in children has doubled in the last 10 years. This is thought to be associated particularly with traffic exhausts and also 'sick-building syndrome' in air-conditioned buildings.
They can be reduced by applying principles of sustainability. | |
Dispersal: a pattern of development which spreads out over the whole region wastes land, increases travel needs, and, because it is road-based, excludes the 25% of households (13 million people nationally) without access to a car. Sustainability means social inclusion, and this is vital for future development choices.
Regionally and Locally - Sustainability Matters
Attractive, comfortable and healthy environment: a well designed building which is not just a basic short-life product will provide an attractive and comfortable place to live and work, and provide a welcome to visitors and clients. It will promote productivity in the workplace (research has shown that a 1% change in productivity has a similar economic value to the whole of the energy cost).
Accessible location: the best sites will minimise journey times between work, shops, services, activities and local facilities, and allow people to choose a variety of transport modes. Environmentally sustainable travel and energy use will reduce pollution and improve health.
Energy efficiency and poverty: in a region with a deprivation problem, it is important to recognise that sustainable construction can make a real difference. Low-income families spend 3 times as much of their household income as do the better-off, so good practice can reduce 'fuel poverty'.
| Quality design: reflecting the context and history of the area fosters local distinctiveness, enhances existing features of cultural, visual and historic importance, and encourages community support and confidence - sustaining a pattern of regional development which has its roots in the North East's own traditions. | |
Security: crime, and the fear of crime, blight many neighbourhoods in the North East. Sustainable communities, well-designed and with activity and over-looking on streets and public areas, can make a real difference to this concern.
For Developers and Investors - Sustainability Matters
Sustainable design and development brings direct benefits for developers, investors and users:
A smoother ride through the planning process: is likely if the development reflects current and emerging sustainable planning policy.
| Permission could be granted more quickly and costs reduced by avoiding lengthy negotiations, delays to the development programme, resubmission of applications, and possibly the call-in or appeal process;
Reduced investment risk: sustainable building design and appraisal can help in this way, by avoiding possible legal challenges over UK and European environmental targets, as well as fiscal penalties. | |
Reduction in heating / cooling plant costs: designing for energy conservation and efficiency, and using environmentally-friendly energy sources, will reduce the space dedicated to heating and cooling plant, and this will also increase the rental income and make the building more attractive to investors.
| Comparable construction costs: contrary to popular belief, energy efficient buildings do not have to have high capital costs.
The developer can benefit through lower or comparable construction costs. | |
Enhanced image: sustainable best practice can increase marketing opportunities, improve image and attract a wider range of investor.
| Improved marketability: designing a building to satisfy longer term needs can increase its marketability of the product.
Buildings will provide an attractive and accessible living and working environment and allow the occupier to expand or adapt it to a new use when required rather than having to relocate. | |
It also allows them to benefit from longer term energy savings.
