Design and Townscape Guide - Refresh 2009 (Consultation Draft)

Comment

Representation ID: 103

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Failure to consider the potential for soils and groundwater to be contaminated when identifying suitable land for development, can create considerable delivery barriers. The steps involved in the investigation, assessment and remediation of contamination can set significant real or perceived financial and time constraints, and can present challenges to the planning process. Early consideration of land quality issues can reduce the risks and barriers to development.
Potential developers should engage in early dialogue to identify the environmental constraints, in order for this to be considered in negotiating land values and shaping development proposals. Where possible stakeholders should work in Local Brownfield Partnerships to develop a strategic approach to the assessment and remediation of contamination.
All development proposals should investigate and identify opportunities for more sustainable, efficient and innovative remediation methods. These include in-situ remediation and hub and cluster sites which use shared centralised soil treatment for multiple developments. The phasing of remediation should also be planned more effectively, based on contaminants and risks.

Comment

Representation ID: 104

Received: 04/06/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

Checklist in Appendix
The checklist in the Appendix could benefit from the following additional checks:
Has Ground Source Heat Pumps been used.
Has Green roof been used.
Have making space for water principles been assessed as part of the FRA and implemented.
Have flood resilient measures been assessed as part of the FRA and implemented.