Sustainable Development

A widely-used definition of sustainable development is: 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' The increasing stress we put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air cannot go on forever. Below are some of the areas in which we work with.

Air Quality
Clean air is essential for our quality of life. Although air quality in the UK is good in general, the expansion of the transport and industry sectors have lead to unacceptable levels of air pollution in many urban centres that cause harm to human health and the environment.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity means the great variety of natural life. It includes all plants and animals, their habitats and the complex ecosystems that sustain them. Continuing development throughout the city puts pressures on biodiversity, in particular on those species that are in decline. The protection of biodiversity and other key ecological features is a fundamanetal part of sustainable development.

Climate Change
The term climate change refers to the average weather experienced over a long period, usually 30 years. This includes not just temperature, but also wind and rainfall patterns. The climate of the earth is not static, and has changed many times in the past in response to a variety of natural causes.
The scientific consensus is that man made emissions from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, are now giving rise to possible long term climatic effects. In the UK these include rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns and temperature rise exacerbating pollution problems in urban areas (source: UK Climate Impacts Programme).

Energy
Building operations and maintenance (such as heating, cooling, lighting and use of domestic appliances) account for a large percentage of energy consumption in the UK. Energy efficiency can be improved by purchasing appliances and equipment with high efficiency ratings, or by replacing traditional energy sources with renewable technologies. Careful and early consideration of the building fabric itself can make significant reductions in energy requirements.

Water
The abstraction, storage, use and treatment of water can have many negative impacts on habitats and wildlife. These issues are becoming more significant as the population grows and we consume more and more water. Climate change may also put increasing pressure on water resources.

Document Summary

Summary of documents available on the right hand side of this page

Sustainability Checklist

The Sustainability Checklist sets out key principles for sustainable development and can be used by applicants for planning permission or others to demonstrate compliance with the City of Southampton Local Plan Review policies SDP 13 and SDP 6. Completion of the checklist is required for residential schemes of 5 or more units or non-residential proposals in excess of 500 sq. m.

Guide to Sustainable Development
This document provides practical guidance for developers on achieving high quality design and construction. It complements the Southampton sustainability checklist to provide background information on the key sustainability issues to be addresses in planning applications.