Replacement Calderdale UDP : Adopted 25 August 2006 (as amended August 2009)

Replacement Calderdale UDP : Adopted 25 August 2006

• Foreword
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Calderdale in Context
• Strategic and Core Part One Policies
• 3 Guiding Principles and Key Themes
• 4 Employment, The Economy, Tourism and Regeneration
• 5 Housing
• 6 Retailing and Town Centres
• 7 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities
• 8 The Built and Historic Environment
• 9 Transport
• 10 Infrastructure, Education and Community Facilities
• 11 Natural Environment and the Countryside
• 12 Environmental Protection
  • Introduction
  • Pollution Control
  • Dangerous Substance Establishments and Other Incompatible Land Uses
  • Contaminated Land
  • Unstable Land
  • Litter and Graffiti
  • The Water Environment
  • Overhead Power Lines
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Renewable Energy in New Developments
  • Development of Renewable Energy
• 13 Minerals
• 14 Waste Management
• 15 Monitoring and Review of the Plan
• Annex A Privacy, Daylighting and Amenity Space
• Annex B Trees On or Adjacent to Development Sites
• Appendix 1 National Planning Policy
• Appendix 2 National Minerals Policy
• Appendix 3 Supporting Published Documents
• Appendix 4 Glossary of Terms
• Appendix 5 Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Appendix 6 Policy Topic Index
• Appendix 7 Policy Number Comparison
• Appendix 8 Supplementary Maps

Energy Efficiency

12.58 Buildings account for almost half of the UK’s delivered energy consumption and associated emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas capable of causing climate change. Buildings and site layouts, which are designed to achieve maximum energy conservation, can therefore contribute significantly to sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and utilising natural resources.

12.59 Energy conservation in buildings is largely promoted through Building Regulations legislation. However, Planning has an important complementary role in determining the layout and design of development schemes.

12.60 Energy conservation measures, and in particular the use of solar energy, can often fundamentally alter the appearance of a building. The contemporary designs that can result will be supported, providing that they are of a high quality and do not detract from the character and appearance of an area, as highlighted in paragraphs 12.82 to 12.90. The concept of sustainable design and any accompanying new building technologies is set to flourish in the future. As such, it is important that these buildings are integrated and readily accepted into the townscape and landscape of Calderdale.

12.61 Where possible, developers should seek to construct energy efficient buildings, by utilising some or all of the principles and techniques set out below (for further information on the subject and clarification of terms used refer to the Renewable Energy section, POLICY GEP 1 ‘PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY’, Policy EP 26 ‘Encouraging the Use of Combined Heat and Power Systems’, Policy EP 31 ‘Development Incorporating Solar Heating and Power Systems’ and Policy EP 32 ‘Protection of Solar Heating, Photovoltaic Panel and Passive Solar Design Developments’ and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Energy Efficiency Guide F, ‘Energy Efficiency in Buildings’, (2004)):-

1. incorporate (or make provision for the future use of) active solar technologies e.g. photovoltaic solar panels;
2. make the maximum use of solar gain by orientating buildings to face within 30 degrees of due south;
3. incorporate large south facing windows to maximise solar gain and keep to a minimum the number and size of north facing windows;
4. ensure the enhanced insulation of all buildings, particularly those that are not orientated to the south;
5. design internal layouts to include the positioning of rooms requiring higher temperatures (e.g. living rooms) to the south side in order to maximise passive solar heating;
6. use storage areas, corridors, or rooms with lower demands for heating or lighting to act as buffer zones to the colder northern aspect of the building;
7. use timber window and door frames in preference to uPVC;
8. design elements of the building to take advantage of earth insulation;
9. position external doors in sheltered locations and provide them with conservatories or porches to conserve heat;
10. incorporate pitched roofs into a development as these require less maintenance than flat roofs;
11. provide south facing pitched roofs angled at between 15 to 40 degrees as these provide the ideal gradient for solar panels;
12. incorporate steep pitched roofs facing prevailing winds as these can help to break up wind flow;
13. use recycled and locally sourced and manufactured materials;
14. use materials which are energy efficient to produce such as timber;
15. provide for the recycling of rainwater and grey water (i.e. non-sewage water) on site; and/or
16. locate taller buildings on the northern parts of development sites.

12.62 Whilst giving full consideration to the incorporation of these design principles in developments, full note should also be taken of the following Policy:-

12.63 The use of energy is an integral and important part of the social and economic fabric of Calderdale. The majority of energy production relies on non-renewable natural resources (fossil fuels), such as coal, oil and gas. The extraction of these resources causes harm to the environment, and more importantly their use in power generation is known to be a major contributor to global warming. The burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity releases high levels of carbon dioxide, the most significant of the ‘greenhouse gases’, into the atmosphere. This contributes to long-term climate change. The Council will seek to assist the reversal of global warming and the wise use of non-renewable resources through the application of the following Part One Policy:-

12.64 The inefficient use of energy is also a significant cause of pollution. It is therefore, important that the use of all forms of energy are carefully managed to ensure that maximum efficiency is obtained in the interests of environmental protection. A range of methods can be employed to conserve energy and promote its efficient use. These include:- adapting existing buildings to accommodate and use modern energy efficient and conserving technologies; designing efficient new buildings and development layouts, using communal rather than individual facilities; and ensuring developments are served by public transport. Policies on energy efficient modes of transport are dealt with in the Transport Section.

12.65 The use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems is a major part of the Government’s approach to energy efficiency and conservation. This technology is suitable for buildings requiring a simultaneous need for hot water and electricity, such as swimming pools, hotels, leisure centres and mixed developments. CHP can reduce emissions into the atmosphere by reducing the total fuel consumed in on-site boilers. However, the boilers tend to create more noise than traditional boilers and can, therefore, create local environmental concerns. In most cases, these problems can be overcome by good design and correct operation. The issue of noise is covered in paragraphs 12.8 to 12.9 and Policy EP 3 ‘Noise Generating Development’ and Policy EP 4 ‘Protection from Existing Noise’.

12.66 At present, there is only one scheme in Calderdale using this form of technology - Todmorden Sports Centre. The Council will support applications for and investigate the feasibility of further CHP schemes within the future. The following Policy will apply:-

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