Policy information sourced from the Croydon Local Plan

SP6: Environment and Climate Change

SP6.1:

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver development that is adaptable in a changing climate, the Council will apply a presumption in favour of development provided applications meet the requirements of Policy SP6 and other applicable policies of the development plan.

Energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction

SP6.2:

The Council will ensure that future development makes the fullest contribution to minimising carbon dioxide emissions in accordance with the London Plan energy hierarchy (use less energy, supply energy efficiently and use renewable energy), to assist in meeting local, London Plan and national CO2 reduction targets. The Council will promote the development of district energy networks where opportunities exist due to high heat density or an increase in heat density brought about by new development. This will be achieved by:

  • Requiring high density residential developments of 20 or more units to incorporate site wide communal heating systems
  • Requiring major development to be enabled for district energy connection unless demonstrated not to be feasible or financially viable to do so.

Sustainable design and construction

SP6.3:

The Council will seek high standards of sustainable design and construction from new development, conversion and refurbishment to assist in meeting local and national CO2 reduction targets. This will be achieved by:

  • Requiring new-build residential development of fewer than 10 units to achieve the national technical standard for energy efficiency in new homes (2015). This is set at a minimum of 19% CO2 reduction beyond the Building Regulations Part L (2013);
  • Requiring new-build residential development of 10 units or more to achieve the London Plan requirements or National Technical Standards (2015) for energy performance, whichever the higher standard;
  • Requiring all new-build residential development to meet a minimum water efficiency standard of 110 litres/person/day as set out in Building Regulations Part G;
  • Requiring conversions and changes of use of existing buildings providing more than 10 new residential units to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment Very Good rating or equivalent;
  • Requiring new build non-residential development of 500m2 and above to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Excellent standard or equivalent;
  • Requiring conversions and changes of use to non-residential uses with an internal floor area of 500m2 and above to achieve a minimum of BREEAM Very Good standard or equivalent;
  • Requiring new build, non-residential development of 1000m2 and above to achieve a minimum of 35% CO2 reduction beyond the Building Regulations Part L (2013); and
  • Requiring development to positively contribute to improving air, land, noise, and water quality by minimising pollution, with detailed policies to be included in the Croydon Local Plan’s Detailed Policies and Proposals.

Flooding, urban blue corridors and water management

SP6.4 

The Council, as a Lead Local Flood Authority, will work in partnership with the Environment Agency, community groups, water and highways infrastructure providers, developers and other Lead Local Flood Authorities to reduce flood risk, protect groundwater and aquifers, and minimise the impact of all forms of flooding in the borough. This will be achieved by:

  • Applying the Sequential Test and Exception Test where required by Policy DM25;
  • Requiring major developments in Flood Zone 1 and all new development within Flood Zones 2 and 3 to provide site specific Flood Risk Assessments proportionate with the degree of flood risk posed to and by the development, taking account of the advice and recommendations within the Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Management Plan;
  • Requiring all development, including refurbishment and conversions, to utilise sustainable drainage systems (SuDs) to reduce surface water run-off and provide water treatment on site; and
  • Requiring development proposals to account for possible groundwater contamination in Source Protection Zones 1 and 2.

SP6.5

The Council and its partners will promote the implementation of ‘Urban Blue Corridors’, enabling a network of multifunctional spaces and corridors that provide safe routes and storage for flood water within the urban environment. This will be achieved by:

  • Supporting schemes that make space for water in flood events;
  • Supporting schemes to de-culvert sections of the River Wandle, Norbury Brook and Caterham Bourne;
  • Preserving and enhancing landscape, heritage and culture through protection and access improvements to the borough’s ponds, open water and water heritage sites; and
  • Maximising opportunities to establish overland flow paths, surface water ponding areas, urban watercourse buffer areas and multi-use flood storage areas in locations of high surface water flood risk and critical drainage areas.

Waste management

SP6.6

The Council supports the objectives of sustainable waste management set out in the London Plan and national policy. The Council will identify the necessary capacity in collaboration with the neighbouring boroughs of Merton, Kingston and Sutton to maximise self-sufficiency in managing the waste generated within the four boroughs. This will be achieved through the South London Waste Plan DPD and any further revisions.

Minerals

SP6.7

The Council will support schemes for aggregate recycling facilities within the borough and seek to reduce the environmental impact of aggregates by supporting the enhancement and development of aggregate recycling facilities where there is no significant detriment to local amenity (see Policy SP8 regarding freight movement and railheads).

For more information please see the Local Plan