Policy information sourced from Sevenoaks Core Strategy

SP 2 Sustainable Development

Sustainable Construction and Low-Carbon Energy Generation

The District will contribute to reducing the causes and effects of climate change by promoting best practice in sustainable design and construction to improve the energy and water efficiency of all new development and contribute to the goal of achieving zero carbon development as soon as possible.

  1. New homes will be required to achieve at least Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, progressing to Level 4 from 2013 and will be encouraged to achieve Level 6 by 2016.
  2. All new commercial (A1-A5, B1-2, B8, C1, D1) and institutional (C2, D1) development, (including conversions) and conversions to residential use will be required to achieve BREEAM “Very Good” standards increasing to “Excellent” standards from 2013 and must incorporate sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) where practical together with arrangements to secure their long term maintenance.
  3. Achievement of the Code levels and BREEAM standards must include at least a 10% reduction in the total carbon emissions through the on-site installation and implementation of decentralised, renewable or low-carbon energy sources.
  4. Applicants must submit evidence which demonstrates how the requirements have been met or which demonstrate that compliance is not technically or financially feasible.
  5. The District will support and promote the incorporation of decentralised energy sources including combined heat and power in new development and will support small scale and community-based renewable energy developments where such development does not adversely affect the openness of the Green Belt and is consistent with AONB policy.

Transport

The Council will support and promote measures to reduce reliance on travel by car both in providing for new development and in supporting measures promoted through the Transport Strategy. Specifically it will:

  1. Support improvements to enhance the safety and convenience of public and community transport.
  2. Seek improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians
  3. Require the inclusion of Travel Plans and other appropriate measures in newdevelopments that generate significant traffic volumes

Air Quality

The design and location of new development will take account of the need to improve air quality in accordance with the District’s Air Quality Action Plan. Development in areas of poor air quality or development that may have an adverse impact on air quality will be required to incorporate mitigation measures to reduce impact to an acceptable level. New development in areas of poor air quality will be required to incorporate measures in the design and orientation that demonstrate an acceptable environment will be created for future occupiers. Permission will be refused where unacceptable impacts cannot be overcome by mitigation.

For more information please see the Core Strategy