1.2.1  Sustainable Development Considerations

The Home Office, DCLG and the Authority all promote measures that will help develop sustainability through protection and enhancement of the environment. To encourage these measures the design should consider the following principles:

■  Sensitive siting of structures to take advantage of natural features, topography and site conditions;

■  Use of materials from sustainable and / or renewable, and where possible, local sources;

■  Avoiding the generation of pollution from waste, noise, dust (at all times), and excessive light at night;

■  Consideration of design aesthetics in relation to neighbouring buildings;

■  Using energy and water in an efficient cost-effective way, and ensuring a cost effective and sustainable choice of fuel is made for all applications (for example, maximising use of rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling and evacuated tube solar water heating);

■  Maximising energy efficiency through careful siting and appropriate external treatment of buildings; and

■  Provision and maintenance of effective climate control including;

o  Maximising use of natural light and ventilation in order to avoid heavy use of powered systems; and

o  Using efficient boilers and where appropriate, heat recovery systems.

The Contractor should ensure that timber is obtained from legal and sustainable sources.