Policy information sourced from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan

SP 10 Sustainable Design and Construction

Proposals that adopt sustainable design and construction principles, as set out below, within an integrated design solution will be supported. This should be demonstrated via a Sustainable Design Statement and associated plans.

Materials and waste

  • Reuse land and buildings wherever feasible and consistent with maintaining and enhancing local character and distinctiveness.
  • Reuse and recycle materials that arise through demolition and refurbishment, including the reuse of excavated soil and hardcore within the site.
  • Prioritise the use of materials and construction techniques that have smaller ecological and carbon footprints, where appropriate.
  • Consider the lifecycle of the building and public spaces, including how they can be easily modified to meet changing social and economic needs and how materials can be recycled at the end of their lifetime.
  • Space is provided and appropriately designed to foster greater levels of recycling of domestic and commercial waste.

Water sensitive design

  • Water sensitive design principles and practices are integrated into development proposals to sustainably address water supply, consumption and quality, extreme rainfall, drainage and flood risk in a holistic way that supports other design aims and objectives.

Energy and climate change

  • Layout and design of the site and building(s) reflect the energy hierarchy to maximise opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.
  • The use of renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure is used where it is appropriate and consistent with other policies.
  • Proposals are responsive to how the climate will change over their lifetime and minimise their contribution to the urban heat island effect.

Landscape and biodiversity

  • New and existing habitat and landscaping are incorporated into the layout and design of proposals in line with sound ecological principles.
  • Site and building-level landscaping and features promote biodiversity and help achieve other aims, such as climate change adaptation, flood risk and amenity.
  • Newly created habitat and soft landscaping prioritise the use of native species. Non-native species are only used if they significantly help achieve other policy objectives, such as adapting to climate change.
  • Proposals seek to create space for growing food, both at a building and wider community scale.

For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan