Policy information sourced from the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan
23: Design and Climate Change
Minerals and waste development should secure high quality design and minimise adverse effects on and from climate change, in doing so demonstrate that the proposed development:
- incorporates design elements that are visually attractive, function well and add to the overall quality of the area; and
- reflects local character and the surrounding environment, helping to establish a strong sense of place, in doing so gives consideration to sensitivity in the massing, scale of buildings and structures and materials used in relation to the surrounding environment, particularly in respect of locations within or adjoining settlements or designated areas including the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt; and
- incorporates safety and security measures, in doing so reduces fire risk on waste management and disposal sites and takes account of aviation safety; and
- complies with the principles of sustainable design and construction, including minimising energy consumption and increased resource efficiency; and
- applies the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) Hierarchy in integrating suitable water efficiency, treatment and storage options; and
- minimises greenhouse gas emissions and ‘climate proofs’ development by incorporating measures to minimise vulnerability and ensure long-term resilience and adaptation to the likely effects of climate change, allowing sustainable, safe and uninterrupted operation; and
- utilises appropriate native species in landscape and planting schemes that are able to successfully adapt to climate change and sequester carbon.
Great weight will be given to outstanding or innovative designs which help raise the standard of design for waste management facilities, and where possible minerals development.
It is recognised that minerals development may have a reduced capacity to address some of the above criteria however they should be addressed to the fullest extent possible.
For more information please see the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan