Policies to help make new buildings and developments in Bath and North East Somerset address climate change are being consulted on, in a bid to make them more environmentally friendly.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is drafting a new document setting out how developments can be more energy efficient and better adapted to the impacts of climate change and wants people’s views.
The draft policy coves a range of issues, including setting a benchmark that all new build development should achieve a 19% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and that major development on existing buildings should achieve a 10% reduction in emissions.
Development should also be future-proofed to avoid overheating, which is becoming a problem as the climate warms. New buildings should also save water, reduce waste and use sustainable materials.
The council has ambitious targets on climate change, aiming to reduce district-wide emissions by 45% by 2029.
The draft Sustainable Construction Checklist Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets out how to comply with existing policies within the Responding to Climate Change section of the council’s Placemaking Plan.
The council is seeking the public’s view on the new policy. The consultation runs until the 27th July and details can be found at the Council’s One Stop Shop in Manvers Street, libraries and at www.bathnes.gov.uk/SustainableConstruction.
Comments can be emailed to [email protected].
Following the public consultation, all contributions will be looked at and the SPD amended accordingly.
It will then require formal approval and adoption by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
