The Peak Park Authority has adopted new guidelines on sustainable building in the National Park (click here for the Supplementary Planning Document). It is not a quick read, but does contain guidelines for traditional and historical buildings, for new builds and for low-carbon/renewable energy, as well as flood risk and drainage. Anyone planning building work or considering more sustainable energy use should read it.
National Park Authority adopts new guidance for sustainable buildings and renewable energy (Press release 15th March 2013)
People making planning applications for development and renewable energy installations in the Peak District National Park are to benefit from new guidance.
At the Full Authority meeting (Friday 15th March 2013) Peak District National Park Authority members voted unanimously to adopt a new Supplementary Planning Document for Climate Change and Sustainable Building.
The Supplementary Planning Document provides guidance on adopted policies to ensure new development in the national park has as low an environmental impact as possible, while safeguarding the special landscape, traditional buildings and heritage of the national park.
Tony Favell, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said:
We are aware of the environmental impacts of development and we have to balance this with our statutory purposes to conserve the special qualities of the national park.
The new Supplementary Planning Document for Climate Change and Sustainable Building will help us achieve this balance and paves the way for people to take positive action on conserving energy and to combat climate change through the planning process.
The new document provides a benchmark for the Authority when considering planning applications. Applications that follow the principles set out in the guidance will have a greater chance of being approved.
The document gives people guidance on choosing appropriate locations for renewable energy installations such as solar panels, biomass, heat pumps and wind turbines to protect the landscape.
It gives best practice examples from a planning perspective on how people can reduce their carbon footprint by saving energy by installing insulation and generating energy from renewable sources. The document is not a manual for alternative building materials or renewable energy. There is also information on conserving water and avoiding the risk of flooding.
There is specific guidance for historic building owners and people planning to build new non-domestic buildings.
Residents, farmers, planning agents, local interest community groups, renewable energy experts and partner organisations were consulted by the Authority in developing the guidance.
People are asked to help reduce the environmental impact of printing the new planning document by viewing it online at http://tinyurl.com/ccflfhb
Copies are available from Peak District National Park HQ, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE, phone 01629 816200 or email customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk
A £5 charge will be made to cover photocopying costs, plus £1 for postage if required.
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