Policy information sourced from the Gravesham Local Plan - Core Strategy

CS18: Climate Change

Flood Risk

5.14.36 With the exception of the previously developed sites along the Thames Riverside (see Policies CS03, CS04 and CS05) and those other regeneration sites which have already been evaluated in accordance with the sequential and exception tests at the application stage, development will be directed sequentially to those areas at least risk of flooding.

5.14.37 Proposals in areas at risk of flooding must be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment (in accordance with national policy and Environment Agency standing guidance as appropriate) and a Flood Risk Management Plan (if required) to demonstrate that they are adequately defended and safe over their lifetime. Planning permission will be refused for schemes which do not pass the sequential and exception tests.

5.14.38 The Council will prioritise the maintenance, improvement or replacement of flood defence infrastructure over other land uses where relevant. In addition to meeting their own flood defence and management needs, the Council will expect new development to take advantage of opportunities to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding from all sources where it is technically and financially feasible.

Water Quality

5.14.39 As part of its approach to climate change and environmental improvement, the Council will have regard to the delivery of the Water Framework Directive and associated Thames River Basin Management Plan objectives to support water bodies being progressively improved to “good” status over the plan period.

Sustainable Drainage and Surface Water Run-Off

5.14.40 The Council will seek to minimise the impact of drainage from new development on waste water systems. In particular, the Council will:

  • Require that surface water run-off from all new development has, as a minimum, no greater adverse impact than the existing use; and
  • Require the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems on all developments where technically and financially feasible.

Water Demand Management

5.14.41 The Council will seek to manage the supply of water in the Borough and reduce the impact of new development on the supply of potable water as much as possible. In particular, the Council will:

  • Require all new homes to be built to at least level 3/4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes in terms of water use (105 litres per person per day consumption). Where it can be demonstrated that a development is unable to meet these standards, or the additional standards set out below, permission will only be granted if provision is made for compensatory water savings elsewhere in the Borough;
  • Seek 5% of homes on Key Sites to act as exemplars by meeting level 5/6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes in terms of water use (80 litres per person per day consumption);
  • Require all non-residential developments of 1,000 sq m and above to meet the BREEAM ”excellent” standards of water efficiency and include provision for the collection of rainwater; and
  • Support proposals to retrofit existing residential properties in ways which reduce water consumption.

Carbon Reduction

5.14.42 The Council will seek to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the Borough. In particular, the Council will:

  • In the context of national policy on the transition to zero carbon development via amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations, require proposals for development of the Key Sites throughout the Borough and other major development elsewhere in the Gravesend Town Centre Opportunity Area to consider the potential and include proposals for low carbon and renewable energy generation, including combined heat and power. Where choosing not to do so, applicants must submit evidence which demonstrates that compliance is not technically or financially feasible or that improved fabric energy efficiency or an allowable solution results in improved carbon saving benefits;
  • Support stand-alone decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy development where it is compatible with national policies for protecting the Green Belt and where it accords with policies in this plan, in particular those relating to Development and Design Principles, Transport, Green Infrastructure, and Heritage and the Historic Environment; and
  • Support other proposals which lead to a reduction in carbon footprint including the retrofitting of existing homes and businesses, including local initiatives based on carbon off-setting via allowable solution

For more information please see the Gravesham Core Strategy