Decision - Sustainable Building Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

RESOLVED – That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

(1)  That the results of the public consultation exercise, as detailed in Appendix 1, be noted and the changes made to the draft Sustainable Building Design SPD be endorsed.

(2)  That the Sustainable Building Design SPD be adopted as part of the Local Development Framework, subject to any minor grammatical and non-material text and illustration alterations agreed by the Director of Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

(3)  That this SPD would be implemented on 1 July 2008 and would then supersede existing Supplementary Guidance Notes 16 (Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy) and 21 (Sustainability Checklist).

(4)  That the new Brighton & Hove Sustainability Checklist be adopted as part of the Sustainable Building Design SPD, subject to any minor non-material alterations agreed by the Director of Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

1.     To ensure there is detailed, up to date, clear advice to all those with an interest in the development process on relevant sustainable design policies.

2.     To improve the environmental performance of the city’s new build and existing buildings and make sure all developments achieve the highest possible standards of sustainable building design.

3.     To ensure development in the city mitigates against and adapts to climate change.

4.     To meet Government guidance.

5.     To deliver more effective implementation of sustainable building policies and improved monitoring.

6.     To enable the local planning authority to prepare for implementation of the SPD and local planning applicants/agents to familiarise themselves with its contents.

1.     As part as the SPD development process, alternative options were discussed with stakeholders at the early consultation phase. The Sustainability Appraisal tested the possibility of ‘doing nothing’ and looked at other options for delivery. As a result of this process, the written document containing minimum standards is accompanied by web-based supporting information and tools.