Design and Townscape Guide - Refresh 2009 (Consultation Draft)

Comment

Representation ID: 93

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

The following bullets should be added into the Operation Stage checklist.
Appropriate community waste management facilities should be integrated into new development. These should enable:
. separation and storage of waste material within buildings
. collection of waste materials from buildings comprehensive and accessible community
facilities for the storage and separation of materials to be recycled.
Developments should aspire where possible to install integrated community waste collection systems. These offer benefits to the environment and local community. However they need to be fully integrated into and inform built development proposals, in order to operate effectively. The cost and benefits of such systems should be fully considered when developing proposals for developments.

Support

Representation ID: 94

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 160: We support the need for all developments to include some form of water recycling. This paragraph could be strenghened by providing some of the background to water stress in the area. The Thames Gateway is a seriously water stressed area where water is a scarce resource. There is greater pressure placed on the water available for people and the environment than in other areas of the country. In order to reduce the demand placed on water resources, water efficiency measures should be installed in the new development and retrofitted in existing development. These measures will help reduce the water use of the Thames Gateway and contribute towards the goal of achieving 'water neutrality'.
New development should meet the following water efficiency standards:
. Residential development should use of less than 95 litres/head/day of water (in excess of Code for Substainable Homes Level 4)
. Non-residential development should score maximum points for water in the BREEAM, achieving an excellent rating overall;
Measures such as spray taps, water efficient showers and appliances, low flush toilets and outdoor water butts can achieve the water efficiency levels specified above. These add a minimal cost to development of between £275-£765 per house.

Comment

Representation ID: 95

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Page 7 para 14 states 'making better use of land and energy'. Water should be added to this sentence.

Support

Representation ID: 96

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 162: We support your SUDS section. This could be strengthened by stating the ambition to achieve Greenfield runoff rates from sites. The surface water drainage strategy for a site should identify the appropriate type of SUDS, how it will be provided and how it will be maintained.

Comment

Representation ID: 97

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 164: The potential for contamination on sites must also be investigated when assessing the suitability for SUDS. Where contamination is present on site, infiltration drainage may not be possible as this provides a direct pathway for contamination into the groundwater. Alternative SUDS techniques could be implemented that to do not involve infiltration.

Comment

Representation ID: 98

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 167: We agree that a suitable long term maintenance agreement is essential in ensuring that SUDS schemes are viable as a long term drainage solution. Ongoing maintenance of SUDS infrastructure can be funded in part by contributions from developers

Comment

Representation ID: 99

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 168: We agree that all new buildings should aim to meet level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes or 'Excellent' BREEAM standard. This supports the Governments aspiration for the Thames Gateway to lead the way as an Eco-Region, as set out in the Eco-Region Prospectus Houses should be built to a higher level of the Code for Sustainable Homes, as a minimum code 4 and above for redevelopment sites and Code 5/6 on Greenfield development. All housing is expected to achieve code level 6 by 2016. It is anticipated that public sector housing proceed this glide-path.
In meeting these standards it will be necessary to utilise local, sustainable and resource efficient materials, and modern methods of construction such as prefabrication and standardisaton. The design and construction of development should be adaptable to future technological innovations such as community heating networks. Measures to increase resilience to a changing climate should be incorporated.

Comment

Representation ID: 100

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 182: explains the benefits of protecting and enhancing biodiversity on development sites. This section should reference that one of the most significant benefits of trees, especially in urban areas, is to alleviate the affects of Climate Change.

Comment

Representation ID: 101

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 291: We will look for permeable surfacing to parking areas wherever possible. The runoff must be managed so as not to increase the risk of flooding, both on and off site.

Comment

Representation ID: 102

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Para 432: Evidence must also be supplied to demonstrate that the Sequential and Exception Tests (where Required) of PPS25 have been met.