1.

Proposals which incorporate design and environmental performance measures and standards to reduce energy consumption and climate effects will be supported, in particular where they go beyond the Building Regulations requirements and achieve certification to voluntary standards such as PassivHaus, BREEAM Excellent. This will include:

Major residential:

a. Energy efficiency: 19% carbon dioxide reduction improvement against Part L (2013) through the energy efficiency of the building and;

b. Water: Total mains consumption of no more than 110 litres per person per day .

Non-residential and Multi-residential:

a. Major: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Excellent

2.

Proposals which incorporate the following sustainable design features, as appropriate to their scale, nature and location, will be strongly supported:

a. Siting and orientation to optimise passive solar gain, in general and also through the provision of solar photovoltaic cells as part of development or by ensuring that development is designed to maximise the potential for solar gain if retrofitted at a later date. Efforts should be taken to integrate such equipment neatly into the design of the building.

b. The use of high quality, thermally efficient building materials, particularly those that are used to achieve the Passivhaus or equivalent standard.

c. Reducing water consumption through the use of grey water systems.

d. Providing low carbon sustainable design and avoid or mitigate all regulated emissions using a combination of on-site energy efficiency measures (such as insulation and low energy heating systems), on-site zero carbon technologies (such as solar panels) and only where necessary off-site measures to deal with any remaining emissions.

e. Providing future-proofed electric vehicle charging points both for each dwelling and additional ones for community use wider in accordance with the guidelines established by the Central Bedfordshire Design Guide and the Parking Strategy which forms part of the Local Transport Plan, where new parking provision is expected to be made.

f. Alterations to existing buildings should be designed with energy reduction in mind and comply with current sustainable design and construction standards as set out in the District Council’s Design Guide and the Building Regulations.

3.

The retrofitting of historic buildings to reduce energy demand and to generate renewable energy will be supported where possible and practicable, providing it safeguards the historic character and interest of these buildings by exploring and adopting measures which involve the least impact upon historic building fabric, character and appearance, and providing any work of retrofitting is done with the benefit of relevant engagement with the Local Planning Authority, including the prior obtaining of formal permission or consent, as appropriate and as required.

For more information, please visit the Maulden Neighbourhood Plan