Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan

Policy M3: Sustainable Technology, Construction and Performance

The design, construction and whole life carbon cost of development must contribute to the mitigation of, and adaption to, climate change. This includes, but is not limited to, reducing embodied and operational carbon emissions, improving energy performance and preserving water. Applicants should demonstrate best endeavours to use recognised assessment tools/ quality standards.

Preserving Resources

All residential development must demonstrate delivery of the water efficiency level of no more than 110 litres per person per day for all dwellings created. In order to demonstrate high levels of energy performance and water efficiency, non-residential development over 1,000sqm must achieve the BREEAM excellent standard, showing that available water credits have been met.

Development should aim to increase a building’s length of life and its adaptability for future uses.

Development materials should be carefully considered in order to reduce embodied carbon and reduce/ prevent waste in all development. Materials for construction should be recycled or re-used from within the site, or sourced locally, where possible.

All development should achieve a layout and design that enables re-use, recycling and composting for the future occupiers. Convenient and suitable arrangements for the storage of refuse and recyclable materials must be made.

Energy and Carbon

All residential development should incorporate passive design in order to optimise solar and daylight access and reduce the risk of overheating and the need for cooling.

Development must achieve, as a minimum, the reduction in regulated carbon emissions as set out in current Building Regulations, unless it can be demonstrated that such provision is not feasible. Large residential development of 100 dwellings or more should also demonstrate additional significant zero and/ or low carbon or sustainable technology features across the site.

At applicable sites, the appropriate technology and systems should be deployed to minimise impact on heritage and character.

Developments for Energy Generation and Storage

In determining applications for energy storage or small and large scale low/ zero carbon technology and installations, the economic and environmental benefits of the proposal will be weighed against the individual and cumulative impact of the development. Development will only be permitted in line with national policy and where the following factors have been satisfactorily taken into consideration where applicable: