Policy information sourced from Tonbridge and Malling Managing Development and the Environment Development Plan Document

CC1 Mitigation - Sustainable Design 

All proposals for new development, building conversions, refurbishments and extensions will be required to incorporate passive design measures to reduce energy demand. Proposals will be required to be well insulated and air tight and designed to take advantage of natural light and heat from the sun and use natural air movement for ventilation, whilst maximising cooling in the summer. This should be achieved by such of the following means as practicable:

  • orientating windows of habitable rooms within 300 degrees of south and utilising southern slopes;
  • locating windows at heights that allow lower sun angles in the winter and installing shading mechanisms, for example awnings, to prevent overheating during summer months;
  • using soft landscaping, including deciduous tree planting, to allow natural sun light to pass through during the winter months whilst providing shade in the summer;
  • integrating passive ventilation, for example wind-catchers installed on roofs; and
  • planting green roofs to moderate the temperature of the building in order to avoid the need for mechanical heating and/or cooling systems.

The achievement of Code Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes will be encouraged in all proposals for new residential development, (excluding extensions and conversions). Water efficiency measures including the installation of storage facilities for the harvesting of rainwater for external and internal water use should be included in meeting Level 4.

Proposals for new residential development will not be permitted unless at least 10% of the estimated CO2 emission savings for each new dwelling are achieved from installed low or zero carbon technologies10. The calculation of the annual energy demand for each new dwelling will be required to include the energy use for space heating, water heating, fixed lighting and ventilation and also the energy use from cooking and other appliances, (where supplied with the dwelling) as required by the Code for Sustainable Homes. For major developments, site-wide strategies incorporating larger installations such as combined heat and power will be encouraged.

Conversions of properties to residential use will not be permitted unless BREEAM’s Homes ‘Very Good’ Standard is achieved.

Proposals for new office (B1) or retail and related development (A1, A2, A3 and A4) (excluding extensions) will not be permitted unless savings of at least 10% of the estimated CO2 emissions are achieved from installed low or zero carbon technologies. In addition, proposals for new office or retail and related development of more than 1000m2 (including extensions) will not be permitted unless they achieve the relevant BREEAM ‘Very Good’ Standard. For all other non-residential development Policy NRM11(i) of the South East Plan will apply.

In all cases, the Council will have regard to the impact of these requirements on the viability of development.

For more information please see the Plan Document