Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document

The Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been prepared to provide guidance on the implementation of adopted District Plan (2018) policies related to climate change and sustainable design and construction, in order to improve the environmental sustainability of new development. It will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The Council adopted the SPD at the Council meeting on 2 March 2021.

The adopted Sustainability SPD is supported by the following documents:

Appendix A of the SPD sets out a sustainability checklist for applicants of new development to complete and submit as part of their planning application. To download the checklist for submission, see our Other planning forms and resources page.

Background

Buildings are responsible for almost half of UK carbon emissions and about a quarter of all raw materials used in the economy. The environmental performance of the built environment needs to improve and the design and construction of new development has a key role to play.

The District Plan incorporates a suite of policies to help ensure that new development in East Herts reduces its environmental impact-minimising carbon emissions, flood risk, pollution and pressure on resources. The Sustainability SPD supports the implementation of these District Plan policies by providing technical guidance on how schemes can both meet and exceed policy requirements across a range of topics. 

Some useful Sustainability SPD FAQs provide further information about the context and scope of the SPD.