1.4  Sustainable Development Considerations

The Home Office, DCLG and the Authority all promote measures that will contribute to sustainable development. We are committed to actions that address the four priorities outlined in the Government's UK Sustainable D - Strategy "Securing the Future". These are

■  Sustainable consumption and production

■  Climate change

■  Natural resource protection

■  Sustainable communities  

We expect contractors to demonstrate how they will integrate sustainable estate management practices that protect and enhance the environment and minimise adverse impacts. This should cover building location, design, construction, operation and disposal.

All new builds and major refurbishments must achieve an "excellent" BREEAM, or equivalent, rating.

Particular areas to be addressed are

■  Travel  Location, access to public transport, impact on existing infrastructure, minimising car use so as to reduce emissions, provision for cyclists facilities, using local suppliers

■  Water  Water saving devices, grey water recycling, rainwater harvesting, risk of pollution, [avoiding decorative water features]  

■  Waste  Implement waste hierarchy reduce - re-use - recycle. Prepare construction site waste management plans, use recycled and recyclable materials/ products

■  Energy  Optimise use of natural daylight, natural ventilation, sourcing/self generation energy, purchasing renewable energy, maximising energy efficiency, carbon emissions, insulation

■  Procurement  Whole life costing, sustainable products e.g. OGC Quick Wins*, fairly traded goods and products, legal and sustainable timber;  

■  Biodiversity  Location, preservation and/or provision of natural habitats, green roofs, drought resistant planting, plant native species

■  Climate change Impact  Location e.g. flood/drought risk areas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, avoiding use of ozone depleting substances, improving energy efficiency

■  Social impacts  Location, building design, impact on culture/heritage, impact of construction works - noise/light/pollution, effect of operation in local community, using local resources including materials, workforce, encouraging community engagement.

Further guidance is available through the OGC Achieving Excellence in Construction Guides www.ogc.gov.uk