16.2.1.2 Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design

Good design has a key role to play in both reducing waste and emissions which contribute to climate change and ensuring future occupants will be able to adapt to the impacts of changing climate. These issues must be considered from the outset of the design process, as issues such as density, building orientation, height, form and materials will influence aesthetics, functionality and resource sustainability. To minimise the waste embodied energy in existing structures, the re-use of existing buildings should always be considered as a first option in preference to demolition and new-build. Buildings should be designed to minimise resource consumption, reducing waste, water and energy use. The re-use of existing buildings and/or building materials should be considered in appropriate cases. Design should optimise natural or heat recovery ventilation, minimise overshadowing and minimise glare and excessive solar gain, avoiding large areas of glazing and providing an appropriate balance between solid and void elements. Materials should be selected which are sustainably sourced and existing materials re-used and recycled wherever possible. Measures which will allow occupants to adapt to the impacts of climate change include natural ventilation, summer shading, openable windows, the incorporation of living roofs and walls, planting and trees, as well as the inclusion of sustainable urban drainage systems and permeable surfaces in adjoining spaces.

Measures to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change must also be appropriate to the special historic and architectural character of the city. Other specific policies will provide detail on issues such as green infrastructure and retrofitting sustainability measures.

Sustainable Open Space – Development must provide for accessible open space and landscaping which enhances the ecological value of a site and increases biodiversity (see also policies as detailed in Chapter 10). Planting should be chosen to foster biodiversity.

Sustainable Urban Drainage – Sustainable urban drainage schemes should be developed to reduce peak run-off, improve biodiversity and improve the quality of run-off. The following systems should be considered: ­

• Green roofs and raised courtyards ­
• Attenuation ponds, swales, wetlands and detention basins (in larger schemes)
• ­ Permeable paving
• Infiltration planters ­
• Water butts ­
• Energy efficiency – All proposals for development should seek to meet the highest standards of sustainable design and construction with regard to the optimum use of sustainable building design criteria such as passive solar principles and also green building materials (see Policy QH12 in Section 5.5.3). For larger schemes, consideration should be given to district heating schemes and combined heat and power (CHP). In order to reduce energy consumption, the following key design considerations should be considered at an early stage in the design process and incorporated, where feasible: ­
• Passive solar design including the orientation, location and sizing of windows
• The use of green building materials: low embodied energy products such as low carbon cement and recycled materials ­
• The use of natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation with heat recovery ­
• Energy-efficient window glazing units and frames ­
• Building envelope air tightness ­
• Appropriate use of thermal mass and insulation ­
• Appropriate renewable technologies ­
• Measures to conserve water.