APPENDIX: SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Sustainability Topic

 Scoring Criteria
Housing Affordability / Market

-5 → +5. Higher scores should be assigned where development of a site would help to address an identified shortage of affordable homes.

Building Methodology/ Code for Sustainable Homes -5 → +5. If housing development, Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes is expected; if higher than Code 3 can be given positive score. Other forms of development can be given a positive score if it it incorporates a high standard of sustainable construction and includes renewable and low –carbon energy generation, where feasible. For relevant forms of development, positive scores will only be applicable where BREEAM ‘very good’or excellent’ are achieved or the equivalent under any national replacement assessment methodology.
Services and Facilities

-5 → +5. For a higher score, the site needs be located close to a wide range of services and facilities that are easily accessible by sustainable modes of transport. Points are lost if development of a site would result in a loss of a service or amenity.

Landscape and Townscape Character -5 → +5. Scores range from zero, where development would not have an adverse effect on landscape and townscape (e.g., a site which has a previous built land use), to  -5 where development would have a severe negative effect on the surroundings, for example, harming a protected landscape. It is possible to make a positive impact on the landscape or townscape, for example, by replacing or effectively screening an existing eye-sore development.
Biodiversity -5 → +5. Scores range from zero, where development would not have an adverse effect on biodiversity, to -5, where for example protected species and habitats would be damaged by the development. A positive score maybe given in exceptional circumstances where enhancement or positive contributions are made to biodiversity.

Historical Environment

-5 → +5. A score of zero should be assigned where there would be no negative impacts on the historical environment around the site. Negative scores should be given when development would harm the historical environment – e.g. a listed building or Conservation Area. A positive score maybe possible if, for example, the setting of a listed building is improved. 

Air Quality -5 → 0. Negative scores should be assigned when development of a site would be adversely impacted by poor air quality. A negative score should also be given where development of a site would itself contribute to an existing air pollution problem.
(a)Water Quality

(b)Water Consumption

(a) -5 → 0. Larger negative scores should be given where development has the potential to harm water quality, for example, through groundwater pollution, proximity to a watercourse, or where sewage treatment works are at capacity. 

(b) 0 → +5. Positive scores could be given when for example water recycling or rainwater harvesting are incorporated or where sustainable drainage schemes are used to encourage infiltration, reduce run-off etc.

Road /Public Transport

-5 → +5. Good access to the road network will be expected and should score zero where access to public transport is limited. Where access to the road network is poor or no public transport is present, negative scores will apply. Larger positive scores are given for settlements that have better access to public transport, i.e., have a railway station & / or bus services that travel to a wide range of destinations, and where non-motorised users have full access to services and facilities.

Flood Risk

-5 → 0. Sites close to a water course, or specifically identified in the Council’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment documentation as being at risk from flooding, or have the potential to contribute to flood risk themselves should be assigned a negative score. 

Local Economy / Business

-5 → +5. Higher positive scores can be allocated for sites where there is a good range of local employment in or close to a settlement. Where employment provision forms all or part of the proposal this will also attract a positive score. Where there is an overall loss of employment a negative score may apply.

Retail

0 → +5. Higher positive scores should be allocated for sites where there is good retail health and access to a range of shops in a settlement by non-motorised users.