Tackling climate change

4A.3 Sustainable design and construction

The Mayor will and boroughs should ensure future developments meet the highest standards of sustainable design and construction and reflect this principle in DPD policies. These will include measures to:

• make most effective use of land and existing buildings

• reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions that contribute to climate change

• design new buildings for flexible uses throughout their lifetime

• avoid internal overheating and excessive heat generation

• make most effective and sustainable use of water, aggregates and other resources

• minimise energy use, including by passive solar design, natural ventilation, and  vegetation on buildings

• supply energy efficiently and incorporate decentralised energy systems (Policy 4A.6), and use renewable energy where feasible (Policy 4A.7)

• minimising light lost to the sky, particularly from street lights

• procure materials sustainably using local suppliers wherever possible

• ensure designs make the most of natural systems both within and around the building

• reduce air and water pollution

• manage flood risk, including through sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) and flood resilient design for infrastructure and property

• ensure developments are comfortable and secure for users

• conserve and enhance the natural environment, particularly in relation to biodiversity and enable easy access to open spaces

• avoid creation of adverse local climate conditions

• promote sustainable waste behaviour in new and existing developments, including support for local integrated recycling schemes, CHP and CCHP schemes and other treatment options

• encourage major developments to incorporate living roofs and walls where feasible (Policy 4A.11)

• reduce adverse noise impacts.

The Mayor will and the boroughs should require all applications for major developments to include a statement on the potential implications of the development on sustainable design and construction principles. This statement should address demolition, construction and long-term management. Boroughs should ensure that the same sustainability principles are used to assess other planning applications.

The Mayor will and boroughs should ensure that developments minimise the use of new aggregates and do not use insulating and other materials containing substances which contribute to climate change through ozone depletion.

Developers should use best practice and appropriate mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impact of demolition and construction.