Question 9
Criteria for renewable energy projects in small villages and conservation areas should be considered.
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Incentives to build in sustainable locations such as the town centre.
The prominent inclusion of climate change within the Local Plan vision is supported, although specific policies to address this will need to be deliverable; i.e. aspirational but achievable.
All goods and products made in China from a fossil fuel source (put a Co2 tax on all such goods). WHY should we be imposed upon when the problem is just exported abroad. What you really mean is cover our green and pleasant land with more fields full of cheap Chinese solar panels.
The analysis needed to formulate the proposed new policies on climate change, (See Q1) namely – • Include policies to ensure that new allocated development is at least neutral, and if possible negative, in terms of its contribution to climate change. • Include policies to ensure that new allocated development is built to explicit standards that mitigate the potential impacts of future climate change. will necessarily involve identifying the construction techniques and standards that developers will have to apply in planning applications. Any further guidance need only be to provide detail to the policy requirements.
Yes, the Parish Council agrees that more guidance should be prepared by the Council to guide developers to assist in responding to the climate change. We consider that the use of solar panels should be introduced wherever possible, we acknowledge that this may not be appropriate in more sensitive and historic locations. In addition, more stringent measures should be in place that greywater recycling is used in the new developments together with ensuring that more sustainable materials are used in the construction of buildings. The Parish Council would like to see more passive housing schemes in the Borough such as the Mill Road development in the Parish of Sharnbrook and consider this should be sought more rigorously within the new Local Plan and guidance to be issued to developers.
Yes, I agree that the Council should produce further guidance for developers on how to respond to climate change. I think this should include:- Solar panels on new homes, to help create appropriate mix in the energy strategy, reduce reliance on wind turbines for renewable energy which take up precious countryside and are an eye-sore in the country. If it is not cost-effective to put solar panels on all new homes, the policy should at least require developers to include solar panels over a certain market value any home that is more than say 20% of average house prices. Developers could also offer buyers options to purchase solar panel installation for homes where it was not mandatory. To plant a certain number of trees in the development. A formula could be devised relating to the number of homes. To have a certain area set aside for green open space, or have nearby access to existing green pace. Some general principles on access and size of the green open space based on number of homes should be devised. To use materials from suppliers that have a green strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emission in the production of the materials, as well as use materials that are non-flammable and safe, with considerations to lessons learnt from the Grenfell Tower fire.
Guidance should include: • Zero carbon housing • Access to public transport. • Dedicated cycleways and walkways. • Electric car charging for all homes. • Solar panels where possible. • District heating schemes. • Superfast broadband in all homes, given the move to home working. • Sufficient car parking spaces. • Development that maintains the character of the area.
Integrated public transport More sustainable public transport, e.g. green buses Cycle lanes to all major centres, especially transport and retail hubs Careful control on wind farms to minimise visual impact Greater development of solar energy and district heating
Safe dedicated cycle paths, not just a line near the gutter on main roads.
Better design of infrastructure to be able to deal with heavier rainfall in shorter periods - reduce chances of flash flooding. Better maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure free flow of water from roads, etc during storms. Not directly related to climate, but since higher density housing will become de rigueur there will need to be better sound insulation to reduce disputes between neighbours.
Homes should no longer be built with gas boilers and the government should be lobbied to make this compulsory. New homes should be zero carbon and this could be achieved using air or ground source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation. Homes can be orientated to take advantage of solar gain and photo-voltaic panels used to generate electricity. Rain water collected for garden use and toilet flushing etc.
Opportunities for integrated water management should be considered, to encourage multi-functional water management assets which support other community objectives. This approach combines different elements of water management (e.g. combining SuDS with a water re-use system to both manage runoff and provide an alternative non-potable water supply) together with town planning and design (e.g. integrating the planted SuDS features throughout a development to contribute to ‘greener’ streetscapes).
To confirm, Wootton Parish Council agrees that more stringent guidance should be prepared by Bedford Borough Council to guide developers to assist in responding to the climate change. We consider this guidance should include the following: • Greater promotion and incorporation of sustainable design and construction in all developments; • Incorporate measures to limit water use and the use of greywater recycling in residential developments; • Facilitating greater provision for electric vehicle charging and associated infrastructure. In addition, it is imperative that new developments adhere to the energy efficiency targets and not be downplayed by developers, Bedford Borough Council should seek measures to enforce this.
Greater inclusion of connective transport so that people don't have to drive. Having a bus to take you somewhere is OK, but not if it only runs 2/3 times a day, for example. Having trams/trolley bus systems that link satellite developments with the town centre would be great.
The response to climate change is an international and national issue that certainly needs coordinating in the UK at the national level. Bedford Borough Council should join with other local councils to ensure that appropriate standards are produced at the national level and then accept the responsibility of ensuring those standards are applied and adhered to.
Ensure the local Electricity Grid can support Electric Vehicle Charging.
The council should look at ONLY implementing developments that meet best standards for future proof housing as much of the housing stock, especially the recent developments, have been of a low standard. For example houses that are are carbon neutral should be the norm. Ground source heat pumps, three phase for car charging and domestic power storage (essential going forward when within a few short years renewables will be providing the bulk of energy) should be standard. Housing density should be more considered especially in a post CV19 world with a lot of home working. Developers often focus on short term benefit by cramming as many houses into as small an area as possible. Building plots, especially eco or self build are exceptionally rare and overpriced. Developments seem to be made by large companies with scant regard for the long term benefits of the area. Green spaces, cycle lanes and connectivity should be essential for all but the smallest developments. Houses with PV, grey water usage etc should be standard. There should be special dispensation to develop especially eco friendly and future proof developments to encourage high quality housing.
It would be difficult to produce guidance beyond that of national standards and enforce it. Look to Scandinavian countries for ideas in more energy efficient house design. District Heating is a prime example of reducing the impact of individual houses.
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I think more guidance should be provided for how plant life (trees, bushes etc.) should be integrated into the urban environment to improve people's mental well-being and air quality. I think it's extremely important, not only to the aesthetic of any new development, but also the timelessness of the property's and the enjoyment of those that live there.
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Clear instructions regarding flood prevention/flood defences are needed, for example - all developments (new & existing) must be able to cope with a continuous 72 hour period of heavy rainfall
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LPA expectations, the need for good design, proven or innovative technology. It should not be guidance it should be an insistence: this would need to be 'sold' to developers through positivity, ie making them realise the benefits of doing so. Officers should be trained so developers do not simply pay lip service to any policy. All areas of climate change should be covered in the policy, for example ecosystem services, shade. a greater emphasis on quality design would partially address this also.
Yes. All building developments should be low-energy. With increased likelihood of major rainfall events, there needs to be greater consideration of how to deal with water run-off. New buildings should include rainwater collection for sanitation and garden watering. There will need to be more holding ponds to reduce flooding.
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