Central Bedfordshire Design Guide SPD

Thank you for consulting on the Planning Design Guide SPD.

I am responding on behalf of the Chiltern Society, a local charity campaigning for the protection and enhancement of the Chilterns countryside, including the Chilterns AONB and parts of the London Green Belt.

An area of concern to the Society is about incentivising the incorporation of Sustainable and Renewable technology. Central Beds do have a section in the Development Briefs and Design Codes for Environmental Requirements and the Local Plan includes sections on Renewable Energy and Sustainability but you have to look hard to find it all. We would wish to see these matters featured more prominently in the Design Guide with clear guidance as to how these matters can be incorporated into the decision-making process.

Section 5.1.4 of the Design Guide - (Key documents & resources that should be referenced) should include a requirement to achieve 3* or above Home Quality Mark (or similar) rating, or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent grades for commercial properties. If requirement is too strong a word, then something on the lines of additional consideration or weighting should be given to projects that achieve recognised Home Quality Mark/BREEAM classifications. Guides such as this really should be championing and incentivising green technology. It exists and needs to become mainstream.

We are also pleased to see reference to the Chilterns Design Guide in Section 5.2.6. This guide is an important part of protecting the special qualities of the AONB and it is likely that when it is revised it will contain further guidance on sustainability principles and sustainable design.

We support the inclusion of detailed guidance on green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity. Getting the latter right is key with the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain following the Environment Act 2021 and with the current nature crisis. In order to conserve the character of the countryside, including the Chilterns, it is essential that design gives full consideration to conserving and enhancing local distinctiveness in both the natural and built environment.

The Guide should also include clear guidance on reducing and managing water usage. Measures should be included to encourage the use of no more than 110 litres per person per day to reduce the needs for water abstraction from local watercourses.

The Society has no comments to make on the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD.

Thank you for consulting on the Planning Design Guide SPD.

I am responding on behalf of the Chiltern Society, a local charity campaigning for the protection and enhancement of the Chilterns countryside, including the Chilterns AONB and parts of the London Green Belt.

An area of concern to the Society is about incentivising the incorporation of Sustainable and Renewable technology. Central Beds do have a section in the Development Briefs and Design Codes for Environmental Requirements and the Local Plan includes sections on Renewable Energy and Sustainability but you have to look hard to find it all. We would wish to see these matters featured more prominently in the Design Guide with clear guidance as to how these matters can be incorporated into the decision-making process.

Section 5.1.4 of the Design Guide - (Key documents & resources that should be referenced) should include a requirement to achieve 3* or above Home Quality Mark (or similar) rating, or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent grades for commercial properties. If requirement is too strong a word, then something on the lines of additional consideration or weighting should be given to projects that achieve recognised Home Quality Mark/BREEAM classifications. Guides such as this really should be championing and incentivising green technology. It exists and needs to become mainstream.

We are also pleased to see reference to the Chilterns Design Guide in Section 5.2.6. This guide is an important part of protecting the special qualities of the AONB and it is likely that when it is revised it will contain further guidance on sustainability principles and sustainable design.

We support the inclusion of detailed guidance on green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity. Getting the latter right is key with the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain following the Environment Act 2021 and with the current nature crisis. In order to conserve the character of the countryside, including the Chilterns, it is essential that design gives full consideration to conserving and enhancing local distinctiveness in both the natural and built environment.

The Guide should also include clear guidance on reducing and managing water usage. Measures should be included to encourage the use of no more than 110 litres per person per day to reduce the needs for water abstraction from local watercourses.

The Society has no comments to make on the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD.

Thank you for consulting on the Planning Design Guide SPD.

I am responding on behalf of the Chiltern Society, a local charity campaigning for the protection and enhancement of the Chilterns countryside, including the Chilterns AONB and parts of the London Green Belt.

An area of concern to the Society is about incentivising the incorporation of Sustainable and Renewable technology. Central Beds do have a section in the Development Briefs and Design Codes for Environmental Requirements and the Local Plan includes sections on Renewable Energy and Sustainability but you have to look hard to find it all. We would wish to see these matters featured more prominently in the Design Guide with clear guidance as to how these matters can be incorporated into the decision-making process.

Section 5.1.4 of the Design Guide - (Key documents & resources that should be referenced) should include a requirement to achieve 3* or above Home Quality Mark (or similar) rating, or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent grades for commercial properties. If requirement is too strong a word, then something on the lines of additional consideration or weighting should be given to projects that achieve recognised Home Quality Mark/BREEAM classifications. Guides such as this really should be championing and incentivising green technology. It exists and needs to become mainstream.

We are also pleased to see reference to the Chilterns Design Guide in Section 5.2.6. This guide is an important part of protecting the special qualities of the AONB and it is likely that when it is revised it will contain further guidance on sustainability principles and sustainable design.

We support the inclusion of detailed guidance on green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity. Getting the latter right is key with the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain following the Environment Act 2021 and with the current nature crisis. In order to conserve the character of the countryside, including the Chilterns, it is essential that design gives full consideration to conserving and enhancing local distinctiveness in both the natural and built environment.

The Guide should also include clear guidance on reducing and managing water usage. Measures should be included to encourage the use of no more than 110 litres per person per day to reduce the needs for water abstraction from local watercourses.

The Society has no comments to make on the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD.

Thank you for consulting on the Planning Design Guide SPD.

I am responding on behalf of the Chiltern Society, a local charity campaigning for the protection and enhancement of the Chilterns countryside, including the Chilterns AONB and parts of the London Green Belt.

An area of concern to the Society is about incentivising the incorporation of Sustainable and Renewable technology. Central Beds do have a section in the Development Briefs and Design Codes for Environmental Requirements and the Local Plan includes sections on Renewable Energy and Sustainability but you have to look hard to find it all. We would wish to see these matters featured more prominently in the Design Guide with clear guidance as to how these matters can be incorporated into the decision-making process.

Section 5.1.4 of the Design Guide - (Key documents & resources that should be referenced) should include a requirement to achieve 3* or above Home Quality Mark (or similar) rating, or BREEAM Very Good/Excellent grades for commercial properties. If requirement is too strong a word, then something on the lines of additional consideration or weighting should be given to projects that achieve recognised Home Quality Mark/BREEAM classifications. Guides such as this really should be championing and incentivising green technology. It exists and needs to become mainstream.

We are also pleased to see reference to the Chilterns Design Guide in Section 5.2.6. This guide is an important part of protecting the special qualities of the AONB and it is likely that when it is revised it will contain further guidance on sustainability principles and sustainable design.

We support the inclusion of detailed guidance on green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity. Getting the latter right is key with the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain following the Environment Act 2021 and with the current nature crisis. In order to conserve the character of the countryside, including the Chilterns, it is essential that design gives full consideration to conserving and enhancing local distinctiveness in both the natural and built environment.

The Guide should also include clear guidance on reducing and managing water usage. Measures should be included to encourage the use of no more than 110 litres per person per day to reduce the needs for water abstraction from local watercourses.

The Society has no comments to make on the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD.