Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD
The Sustainable Construction Checklist Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), adopted
(pdf, 23KB) on 13 August 2011, describes the key principles of sustainable design and construction the Council expects all applicants to follow. It forms part of the assessment for planning applications with the aim to engage applicants and developers on sustainability issues relevant to their development and to assist them in complying with the Council's planning policy requirements with regard to sustainability.
This SPD is an update to the Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD adopted in 2006 (with amendments in 2008).
The SPD consists of the following two documents:
- The Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD
(MS Excel, 161KB); it is recommended to use the electronic version of the Checklist as this is interactive; - The Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD Guidance Document(pdf, 1092KB).
The Checklist forms a mandatory part of the planning application for the following classes of development:
- All new residential development providing 1 or more new dwellings, including conversions and extensions that create one or more new dwellings.
- All new non-residential development providing 100m2 or more floor area, including extensions over 100m2.
Other classes of development, which require planning permission but do not fit into the above categories, specifically including conversions or extensions of residential or non-residential development, are encouraged to comply with the Checklist as far as possible.
Minimum policy requirements
This Checklist assists applicants and developers in achieving the Richmond specific minimum planning policy requirements on sustainable construction, which are:
| Policy documents | Code for Sustainable Homes | BREEAM | Ecohomes | Renewables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Strategy (adopted) | Level 3 | Excellent | Excellent | 20% reduction in carbon emissions from on-site renewables |
| Development Management DPD (adopted 2011) | Level 3 Minimum reduction in carbon emissions of 40%* |
Excellent Minimum of 2 credits on water consumption |
Excellent Minimum of 3 credits on water consumption |
20% reduction in carbon emissions from on-site renewables |
* over Building Regulations (2010)
The Checklist guidance document provides useful sources of further information and support services. Applicants may also wish to look at the following:
- Biomass Boilers
- Greater London Authority Energy Assessment guidance (External link to Greater London Authority)
- Greener Homes and Micro-generation (External link to Planning Portal)
Advice to Householders
While the Council encourages all applications to comply with the Checklist as far as possible, the following documents provide detailed guidance on how sustainable design and construction can be applied when building a small extension or carrying out other external alteration works to your home. This guidance may also be helpful if you are considering making improvements or retrofitting your existing property: