Policy information sourced from the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.
CC8.3: Sustainable Construction and Resource Management
To minimise the impact of new homes on the environment, residential developments should:
- Be designed so they can be adapted to be carbon neutral;
- Avoid overheating and use passive ventilation when possible; and
- Achieve a 19% improvement for carbon emissions over the target emission rate (TER) as set out in National Building Regulations Part L (2013) , or any updated government standards, whichever results in a higher target.
Proposals that do not meet the energy efficiency target will only be supported if it is unfeasible and a financial contribution is made towards the Carbon Offset Fund to provide equivalent carbon savings off site.
Water efficiency
All residential developments should meet the technical standard for water efficiency of 110 litres per person, per day. In new, non-residential developments, that are unable to achieve BREEAM ‘excellent’ standard, water conservation measures should be incorporated to reduce water consumption to a standard equivalent to BREEAM ‘very good’ for the appropriate building typology.
Materials and waste management
Development proposals should reduce construction waste through the re-use and recycling of materials. Practices undertaken should reflect the Hertfordshire Waste Hierarchy. As part of an application, applicants should set out how waste management of the site is in accordance with the Hertfordshire Waste Local Plan.
For more information, please see the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.