Sustainable development

Proposals for zero carbon development are strongly supported. Proposals for development, including refurbishment, conversion and extensions to existing buildings, must set out in a sustainability statement how they will deliver:

• sustainable design and construction practice including (where applicable):
  • the efficient use of mineral resources and the incorporation of a proportion of recycled and/or secondary aggregates
  • waste minimisation and reusing material derived from excavation and demolition
  • the use of materials both in terms of embodied carbon and energy efficiency
  • landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping,
• the lowest level of carbon emissions (direct and embodied) that is achievable,
• the highest levels of energy and water efficiency that are achievable and
• measures that enable sustainable lifestyles for building occupants wherever opportunities to do so are identified.

When meeting these requirements, the energy and waste hierarchies should be followed except where it can be demonstrated that greater sustainability can be achieved by utilising measures
further down the hierarchy. The Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out guidance on appropriate standards and practice.

Climate Change Adaptation

Developments should be fit for purpose and remain so into the future. Development proposals must set out in a sustainability statement how they have incorporated adaptations for a changing
climate and changing weather patterns in order to avoid increased vulnerability and offer high levels of resilience to the full range of expected impacts.

Renewable, low carbon and decentralised energy

The development of low and zero carbon and decentralised energy, including (C)CHP distribution networks, is strongly supported and encouraged.

All new developments must connect to (C)CHP distribution networks where they exist, or incorporate the necessary infrastructure for connection to future networks, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that doing so is not feasible or that utilising a different energy supply would be more sustainable.

Proposals for development within heat priority areas as shown on the Policies Map and all sufficiently large or intensive developments must demonstrate that heating and cooling technologies have been selected in accordance with the following heating and cooling hierarchy unless it can be clearly demonstrated that an alternative approach would be more sustainable:

1. Connection to existing (C)CHP distribution networks
2. Site wide renewable distribution networks including renewable (C)CHP
3. Site wide gas-fired (C)CHP distribution networks
4. Renewable communal heating networks
5. Gas-fired communal heating networks
6. Individual dwelling renewable heating
7. Individual dwelling heating, with the exception of electric heating

All (C)CHP must be of a scale and operated to maximise the potential for carbon reduction.
Developments that do not connect to or implement (C)CHP or communal heating networks should be ‘connection-ready’.

Energy statements must be provided to demonstrate and quantify how development will comply with the energy requirements of this policy. Guildford Borough Council will work proactively with applicants on major developments to ensure these requirements can be met.

Carbon reduction

New buildings must achieve a reasonable reduction in the carbon emissions that remain after efficiency measures have been applied of at least 15 per cent. This should be achieved through the provision of appropriate on-site renewable and low carbon energy technologies. Proposals should set out how this will be achieved in an energy statement.