There are a range of national and local polices that offer
guidance for sustainable developments.
National standards:
- Residential 'Code for Sustainable
Homes': The Department for Communities
and Local Government’s ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ is a voluntary
standard designed to improve the overall sustainability of new
homes. The Code will become a mandatory requirement in 2010
and aims for all new homes to be zero carbon rated by
2016.
A level 3 sustainability rating should be an
achievable minimum standard for all new developments. The Code
for Sustainable Communities is available to download from the
Communities and Local Government (external link) website.
- Non-residential BREEAM Assessment: A BREEAM
(Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
assessment provides an energy efficiency rating of pass, good, very
good or excellent, for non-residential building
developments.
BREEAM can be used to assess the environmental
performance of both new and existing buildings. Developers should
be working towards achieving a design and post construction BREEAM
rating of ‘very good’ for all new developments. Find out more
at the BREEAM (external
link) website.
Local standards:
- West Lancashire Replacement Local Plan:This
plan has been produced to direct and control development within
West Lancashire. The plan has a number of key aims including to
protect and enhance the environment and ensure that any new
development is sustainable. To find out more visit replacement local
plan.
- The Design Guide: This guide gives an overview
of the design principles and expectations we employ when
considering planning applications and sets out the areas of
sustainability that need to be taken into account. For more
information or to download a copy of the guide visit our Design Guide
page.
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