Environmental Quality

STATEMENT 2

"To integrate the need for protection of the natural, built and historic environment (including the natural resources) of the District, with the need to allow the continued evolution of both the countryside and the character and environment of settlements."

Background

3.22 The Core Strategy Policy CP2, sets out the importance of maintaining the high environmental quality of the District.  The following policies add a further level of detail on how the Council believes the high environmental standard in the District should be maintained in relation to planning and development proposals. This includes the protection of resources, minimising pollution, prevention of flooding and the provision of renewable energy supplies.

3.23 The policies particularly support the following sustainability objectives:

  • To maintain a high quality environment in terms of air, soil and water quality.
  • To reduce the risk of flooding.
  • To ensure that rates of energy and water consumption are as efficient as possible.

  • To seek to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, in particular by encouraging the provision and use of renewable energy.

3.24 Development has the potential to harm the environment in a variety of ways, including the emission of pollutants to the air, controlled waters and soils.  The Council will consider the possible polluting effects of a development proposal on aspects such as amenity and surrounding land-uses. These considerations are complemented by legislation outside the planning process, such as the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, 2000.

3.25 Development proposals which have the potential to result in pollution of the environment, including at the demolition or construction phase, will need to consider mitigation measures to help minimise any potential risk and/or harm. Where necessary, the Council will use planning conditions to help limit the impact of pollution.

3.26 Where a proposed development site is known or expected to be affected by contamination, applicants are reminded that in accordance with S.57 of the Environment Act they will need to provide a full assessment of the contamination and the proposed remediation work necessary before any development is permitted. In accordance with PPS23: Planning and Pollution Control, a desk study and preliminary risk assessment should be produced prior to any brownfield site obtaining planning permission. The Council will also pay particular consideration to the effects of noise, including developments and sites sensitive to noise, such as housing or care homes, rural areas, wildlife sites and historic areas.  Applicants are advised to consult Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control, Planning Policy Guidance 24: Planning and Noise as well as having regard to any relevant environmental legislation as appropriate, and should, where necessary, submit technical reports to Environmental Health.

3.27 The following polices should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy CP2: Environmental Quality.

POLICY DC 7

FLOODING

Development will not be permitted where it would:

  1. in accordance with the sequential test set out in Government guidance, be at risk from flooding;
  2. not incorporate appropriate mitigation measures to help limit any increase in the risk of flooding in adjacent or downstream areas; and,
  3. not comply with the tests and recommendations set out in the Horsham District Strategic Flood Risk Assessments.

3.28 Flooding is a natural process and can happen at any time in a wide variety of locations. Flooding can come from rivers and the sea, directly from rainfall on the ground surface and from rising groundwater, overwhelmed sewers and drainage systems. Annex C of PPS25: Development and Flood Risk details the various forms of flooding.

3.29 Development on floodplains increases the number of people, properties and infrastructure at risk from flooding. In addition, development both on and off floodplains, can heighten the risk of flooding elsewhere by increasing the amount of hard surfacing. This reduces the rate that water can soak into the soil, and the water instead flows as surface water ‘run-off’. This water then reaches rivers more quickly, causing them to exceed their storage capacity, or the run-off can cause more localised "flash flooding".

3.30 In future, the risk of flooding is likely to increase as a result of climate change. It is predicted that there will be more intense rainfall, which could lead to more frequent major flood events happening, or occurring in areas that do not flood at the moment.

3.31 Together with the Environment Agency, this Council has produced Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRAs) for the Mole Catchment area and the Adur and Arun Catchment area within the District. The SFRAs will seek to ensure that development does not occur in areas at risk of flooding and give guidance on how this can be achieved. The SFRAs include maps which indicate the areas of land at risk from flooding. In addition, the Council will therefore require a flood risk assessment in conjunction with development proposals, when the relevant SFRA indicates this is necessary. The assessment will need to identify the extent of the floodplains on all watercourses within or adjacent to the development site, and must have regard to climate change. Applicants are advised to consult the relevant SFRA, Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk and it's companion guide and other relevant environmental legislation for further information.

3.32 To ensure that development does not increase the risk of flooding, developers should incorporate measures such as sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). These increase the amount of water that is able to enter the ground rather than being lost as run off. It can include designing natural areas which can accommodate floodwater as well as being of benefit to biodiversity. Further information and guidance on SUDS can be found in the "Interim Code of Practice for Sustainable Drainage Systems" by the National SUDS working group, and is available from the Environment Agency.

3.33  In addition to placing pressure on the supply of water, development also has the potential to increase pressure on surface water drainage, foul sewerage systems and wastewater treatment works. Where appropriate it is proposed that contributions will be required towards the improvement or enhancement of this infrastructure. Applicants are advised to consult the Environment Agency, and Southern Water/Thames Water and Environmental Health Officers as appropriate for more information and advice on this issue.

POLICY DC 8

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

  1. Planning permission will only be granted for proposals which ensure that:
    1. measures are incorporated that reduce the impact on climate change; and,

    2. wherever possible and certainly for any development of 10 or more dwellings and other forms of major development, sufficient on-site renewable energy equipment or other design measures are provided to achieve at least a 10% reduction in the scheme's predicted carbon dioxide emissions.

  2. The Council will permit schemes for renewable energy (e.g. solar, biomass and energy crops, landfill gas and hydroelectricity) where they do not have a significant adverse effect on landscape character, wildlife, areas of historical significance or amenity value.

3.34 "Greenhouse gases" such as carbon dioxide and methane trap the sun's heat in the earth's atmosphere. Human activity, such as the burning of gas and coal, has increased the level of these gases in the air, meaning that more energy from the sun is trapped in the atmosphere. This is leading to changes in the world’s climate, and is likely to alter the environment of this District. Within Horsham District potential effects of climate change  include increased drought and flooding episodes, both of which would affect people, wildlife and the economy. 

3.35 It is thought that a certain amount of climate change is now inevitable, and developers will therefore need to design development to take the impacts of climate change (such as increased flooding) into account. In addition, development should also seek to minimise further emissions of greenhouse gases both during the construction and operational phases of development (see criteria in a. of the Policy).  This can be achieved in a number of ways, including using sustainable construction techniques (more information on this will be made available in a Supplementary Planning Document), designing development to maximise solar gain, using high levels of insulation, and provision of efficient heating systems. Applicants should also refer to policies DC9: Development Principles and CP2: Environmental Quality for more information on these issues.

3.36 One method of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases is to use renewable sources of energy. It is possible to incorporate many renewable energy technologies within developments, and in order to meet the Government's targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, this Council is therefore requiring larger developments to provide sufficient on-site renewable and low-carbon energy sources or other design measures so as to achieve at least a 10% reduction in the scheme's predicted carbon dioxide emissions over and above that required by the currently applicable building regulations.  Whilst the requirement to achieve this reduction in the scheme's predicted carbon dioxide emissions is placed on larger developments, the Council will strongly encourage such provisions from all proposals for residential development.  This requirement can be met in a number of different ways, including small scale wind energy, solar panels and combined heat and power supplies. More information on this issue is currently available from the Department of Trade and Industry and further details will be made available in a Supplementary Planning Document.

3.37 In addition to on-site provision of renewable energy, there may also be proposals for larger scale renewable energy installations, such as wind farms or biomass energy plants. These schemes have the potential to impact on a range of issues, including the landscape, wildlife and amenity. The Council will  take these factors into account when considering any proposals for renewable energy schemes.  Applicants for such schemes are advised to consult Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy.