S6 Waste and Energy

S6 Waste and Energy

The Council will support the Best Practical Environmental Option, in the management of waste. The conservation and efficient use of energy in the siting and layout of development, use of materials, landscaping, and the orientation of buildings will be promoted by the Council. Energy efficiency measures such as combined heat and power schemes will be encouraged, as will the efficient use of water resources.

1.35 The UDP has a role in contributing to a more sustainable waste strategy by facilitating the best principles of waste management through ensuring the environmental impact of development proposals are minimised. In so doing account will be taken of the principles contained within the national waste strategy, including:

the treatment and disposal of waste within the region;
the management of waste as close to its source as possible;
the application of the waste hierarchy of reduction, reuse or recovery; and
the framework of the Best Practical Environmental Option as defined by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

1.36 Continuing encouragement will be given to the appropriate provision of local recycling facilities. The need to incorporate the principles of the waste hierarchy should be considered in all new developments.

1.37 The Council considers that sensitive land use planning can complement other measures pursued, for example, through the Building Regulations to improve energy efficiency and conservation.

1.38 Buildings account for almost half of the UK’s delivered energy consumption and associated emissions of CO₂, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. The Government’s good practice guide ‘Planning for Sustainable Development Towards Better Practice’ notes for example that changes in site layout can reduce the energy requirements of a typical dwelling by 20%.

1.39 In 1996 the Council produced its Home Energy Conservation Act Report. The purpose of the report was to identify the existing levels of energy efficiency in the Borough’s housing stock and it established plans to improve the position over the next ten to fifteen years. The Report proposed that energy usage between 1996 and 2006 should be reduced by 32% in Council homes and 22% in the private sector, an improvement of 24% overall. Clearly innovative housing initiatives such as Green Futures have a part to play in increasing energy efficiency in new housing development.

1.40 It is now widely recognised that land use planning can influence energy conservation and energy efficiency particularly regarding combined heat and power schemes, site layout and building design.

1.41 Water efficiency measures in the disposal of surface water can assist with the recharge of aquifers, enhance water quality, help prevent flooding and give the opportunity for wetland creation. They can also be designed into homes through incorporating low water technology and recycling.

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