Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Construction
Policy
Martin Mancey
BSc DMS CEng MICE MIHT MI Mgt
Group Director
March 2002
Contact: David Chandler
Special Projects Manager
Kingston House
Bond Street
Kingston upon Hull
HU1 3ER
Foreword
Sustainable construction goes much further than good environmental practice and
requires a holistic approach to improving economic and social performance. This
policy document, which has been developed in partnership with the Building
Research Establishment, sets out an important further step in the Council’s drive to
achieve sustainable construction.
All development has some environmental impact. The intention of this policy
document is to seek to ensure that construction has a minimal detrimental impact on
the environment whilst maximising environmental, economic and social, and amenity
benefits.
The City of Hull is striving to be recognised as one of the UKs top ten cities. High
quality buildings and attractive public spaces, both with environmentally sound
principles are vital to ensure continued economic growth. The development and
retention of the skilled people necessary for successful business generation is also a
key sustainability issue, which will contribute to the regeneration of the City. I
commend this policy document as a major contribution to the effort to make the City
a better place.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Executive summary
This document explains current thinking on what sustainable construction is. The
current national policy framework is clarified, and what Hull City Council has
achieved so far is summarised. The document concludes with a commitment to
achieving sustainable construction and suggestions concerning further policy making
and action within the authority.
This document contains valuable information on how construction can be made more
sustainable now, and in three model action plans the major measurements and
achievements needed are highlighted. It is intended that this document and its future
revisions will be used internally by all staff involved in construction, and externally by
consultants and construction companies which are commissioned by or to carry out
construction for Hull City Council, to ensure sustainability is encompassed at the
earliest point in future projects. As a follow on, an implementation document will be
produced to show how the policies will be implemented and success measured.
Key benefits
• reduced actual costs through increased efficiencies and reduced mechanisation;
• lower whole life costs, particularly energy and water costs;
• improved internal environment, leading to greater user satisfaction, productivity,
staff recruitment and retention;
• improved safety on and around construction sites, reducing liability and risk;
• reduced taxation burden, particularly through the Climate Change Levy,
Aggregate Levy and Landfill Tax;
• more efficient siting of buildings and developments, saving transport energy and
congestion and aiding regeneration;
• Community Leadership: improved image, demonstrating to the local community
what can be achieved, thus encouraging others to demand it and achieve it;
• improved quality of life and well being for everyone.
The above key benefits are all consistent with the Council’s overarching corporate
aim: The City Council will work to improve the environment creating safer,
more inclusive, healthier and more sustainable neighbourhoods.
• Create, protect and enhance higher quality sustainable natural and built
environments.
• Protect promote and improve the health and well being of our communities.
• Improve the quality, range and choice of housing accommodation within the
City’s neighbourhood.
Key drivers
• central government commitments and indicators;
• Kyoto targets, domestic targets and the Nottingham Declaration on Climate
Change;
• reporting on Local Agenda 21 and Best Value, and integrating sustainable
development into community strategies;
• Local Government Act power to improve community well-being;
• revised Planning Policy Guidance notes and the demand for new housing;
• Building Regulation revisions, Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) and
European directives on Environment and Sustainability;
• achieving excellence in procurement and management.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Contents
Foreword …………………………………………………………………………………..1
Contents .................................................................................................................. 3
3 Where sustainable construction fits within the LA role: Legislation & Guidelines 10
7 Gaps in Hull City Council policy and practice, and future action......................... 17
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
• the planning stage, including strategic level planning (Structure and Local Plans,
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and development briefs) as well as
those responsibilities covered by Development and Building Control;
• construction procurement, including new construction, refurbishment work and
maintenance projects; partnerships, e.g., regeneration programme initiatives;
• management of corporate and commercial built asset, including operation,
management and maintenance requirements.
Although there are many aspects to the built environment, it is possible to set
common ‘sustainability’ goals in planning, procurement and management, since in
many respects the issues that revolve around these are the same. However, for
different organisations, specific objectives within these common goals, and a
timetable by which these can be delivered, will differ.
Throughout the whole construction process described, beginning with the choice of
site, effective project planning is required to enable construction to be more
sustainable. It is important that each stage of the construction process (from
inception through planning, design, build, operation and demolition) is considered as
a part of the complete cycle and within an overall framework. Partnering, whether
formalised or simply through improved relationships, can improve this integrated
view. Sustainability can only be integrated in a planned and well managed way,
through prioritising different aspects of sustainability according to the needs and
resources of specific projects.
1
The built environment includes buildings, structures, supporting infrastructure and their immediate surroundings.
2
“A better quality life” DETR May 1999
3
“Building a better quality of life” DETR, April 2000
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
heart of this agenda. In the move towards sustainable construction, the clients of the
construction industry have a key role. Furthermore, the ‘Egan Report’4 and the
Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR)/Health and
Safety Commission (HSC) Strategy5 point to the role that clients can play.
When considering the sustainability of a whole area or community (rather than the
impacts of individual buildings), social and economic issues, crucial to the vitality of a
community, need to be included alongside the environmental issues. Social and
economic problems vary greatly from area to area and so the answers to these
problems also vary greatly. Local authorities need to reflect this when developing
targets. Social and economic issues are usually paramount, but ‘win-win’ situations
regarding the environment are achievable, especially when considering the statutory
duties concerning community strategies and local strategic partnerships (see 2.5)
and the duty to promote social, econmomic and environmental well-being. This has
particular local significance.
The Audit Commission has developed a voluntary set of Quality of Life indicators6,
which again impact on the area of sustainable construction, particularly the
environmental considerations. Indicators that directly relate to sustainable
construction include:
Local authorities are developing indicators at many scales, and the Audit
Commission collects a library of these.
4
Report of the Construction Task Force, "Rethinking Construction," DETR 1998,
5
"Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy" DTLR/HSC June 2000
6
See www.audit-commission.gov.uk/pis/quality-of-life-indicators.shtml
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The Council for Climate Protection and the Nottingham Declaration on Climate
Change are two obvious examples that local authorities can sign up to, which help to
organise the authority’s response. To find out more about the impacts of climate
change, contact the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP)8. Climate change
impacts and renewable energy potential are increasingly a priority for bodies working
at the regional level including Regional Development Agencies.
"3. (1) A best value authority must make arrangements to secure continuous
improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a
combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness."
Best Value is designed to secure the provision of quality and cost effective services
allowing for creative and innovative solutions to fit local circumstances. The
Government’s approach has been to develop the policy in consultation with all the
different parties and to involve local authorities as pilots. There is no one definition of
Best Value, or one way of obtaining it. The LGA and IDeA partnership has been
encouraging councils to find a way that suits them, promoting new and innovative
ways of working. All councils must now operate using Best Value and statutory
guidance is available. This makes clear that corporate policies and cross cutting
objectives such as sustainable development should be integrated into Best Value.
Research shows how this has been done and reviews the most successful
7
See www.piu.gov.uk/2002/energy/report/3.html
8
See www.ukcip.org.uk
9
See www.inclei.org/europe/lasala
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Under Best Value there must be a service improvement plan, which should reflect the
local needs and stakeholder wishes for the service. Data on the statutory
performance indicators (monitored by the Audit Commission) must be published
locally each year, with the local performance indicators agreed locally. Political
priorities can be reflected in adopting key indicators to measure moves towards
sustainable development through the five year service plan. Best Value and
sustainability must complement and strengthen each other, especially in terms of the
need for quality and whole life costing.
2.6 Planning
In planning for sustainability, and for sustainable construction, it is important to
distinguish between those areas which local authorities have control over, and those
which they can influence. Across all areas it is essential that thought and action on
improving sustainability should be begun at the earliest point possible. Planning is in
a state of flux since the release of the Planning Green Paper. For the sake of
simplicity, focus here is on the current system, split into three parts: Central
government guidance, Plans and Development Control and Building Control.
10
‘Promoting Sustainable Development Through Best Value’, CAG & INLOGOV for IDeA, April 2001
11
See www.solace.org.uk/misc/checklist.pdf
12
See www.local-regions.dtlr.gov.uk/wellbeing
13
Planning Policy Guidance notes are statements of national planning policy. They are available at
www.databases.dtlr.gov.uk/planning/npp/ListCategories.asp
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There are further PPGs that give more specific guidance on a range of topics that
impact upon sustainable construction policies. These include:
At the planning stage, local authorities have the opportunity to influence the
performance of all planning applicants, which has the potential to encourage the
move towards more sustainable construction through energy efficient land use. On
their own construction projects, local authorities have the opportunity to demonstrate
best practice, and the benefits to the local community (through reduced whole life
costs, better buildings, etc.) of becoming more sustainable.
Building Control
The Building Control function, in enforcing sustainable construction, is incorporated in
the national Building Regulations. Present requirements enforce consideration of
energy efficiency measures. In the future there is scope for the regulations to be
extended to include wider issues of sustainability, but until then officers have no
power to enforce such issues. However, in direct discussions with developers,
architects and builders, officers are in an ideal position to promote Council policies,
using their knowledge and influence to inform and encourage the use of more
sustainable materials and practices.
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When considering design and the procurement of it, the publications of the
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) are useful, such as
‘Celebrating Innovation’, ‘The Value of Urban Design’, ‘Better Public Buildings’ and
‘Design Quality in PFI Projects’.16 Also, DTLR has also developed a close working
relationship with the urban Design Alliance (UDAL). 17 UDAL was formed in 1997 by
seven professional and specialist organisations working together to create quality
towns and cities. UDAL’s members are the Civic Trust, the Institution of Civil
Engineers, the Landscape Institute, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Town Planning Institute and the urban
Design Group. The central goal of UDAL is to raise awareness of urban design, and
the fundamental role it can play in creating sustainable, safe and desirable urban
areas.
The management of the built asset can be a critical part in the EMS process;
particularly when considering reducing emissions such as carbon dioxide and other
green house gases. By incorporating good management and maintenance regimes,
the amount of resources used can be minimised, thus achieving cost savings, and
reducing impacts on the environment. An EMS and the Best Value process can be
usefully run in synergy. The state of asset management across various departments
can often differ widely, and co-ordinating approaches can realise many savings.
14
Procurement Guidance Note No.7 – Whole Life Costs. OGC
15
Environmental Issues in Purchasing – Note by the Treasury and DETR - 1999
16
All available through www.cabe.org.uk except ‘Design Quality in PFI Projects’, available direct from OGC.
17
http://www.udal.org.uk/whatisudal.htm
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At the back of this document are model action plans for these three key areas; giving
actions and example targets. These can be used as they stand or be adapted for a
local authority’s particular requirements.
When looking at the authority’s own assets, evaluate how space is used. More
efficient use could negate the need for new buildings. Refurbishment of existing
buildings could render them more useful. New build should be the last resort.
When reviewing the Local Plan, consider the use of existing buildings and previously
developed land, and how best this can be reused, taking into account such issues as
the community amenity it currently provides and the view of the local community.
The most locally sustainable outcome should be assessed, based on a careful and
objective technical appraisal, for example through a whole life cost18,19 analysis, to
evaluate the long-term potential of an existing asset against a new building.
18
Construction Procurement Guidance Note No.7 – Whole Life Costs. 2000. Office of Government Commerce.
19
Introduction to Whole Life Costing - A Client's Guide. Construction Clients Forum, May 2000 (CCF, 1 Warwick
Row, London, SW1E 5ER)
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Waste does not imply just unwanted physical material. It includes unnecessary
consumption of land, time, lower than planned economic return and unrealised
potential from built assets during their lives. Minimising waste through design means
avoiding over-specification of materials and services in favour of simplicity
(buildability), bearing in mind operation and maintenance (maintainability), and
considering flexibility and future re-use (adaptability), so as to minimise construction
costs. Measures described above are often termed ‘leaning construction’.
During the operation of the building, much can be done to reduce wastage, from
reducing the need for paper, to ensuring printers print double sided, to recycling
paper waste. Paper is not the only waste product which should be considered, others
include cardboard, aluminium cans and plastics, especially if there are catering
facilities on site. If this is the case, composting of waste also needs to be considered.
20
Smartstart is a web based waste auditing tool for improved waste management. For more details contact
Smartstart at www.bre.co.uk
21
Smartwaste is a web based waste auditing tool for improved waste management. For more details contact
Smartwaste at www.bre.co.uk
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Buildings consume large quantities of energy during their life-spans. The production
of the energy used in the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting of buildings
account for about half the UK’s emissions of carbon dioxide, an important
greenhouse gas. Passive environmental systems - drawing on natural light, air
movement, thermal mass, temperature gradients and other phenomena - can deliver
cheaper designs and satisfactory performance while using much less energy than
their mechanical equivalents.
The four major potential sources of pollution from the construction process are: waste
materials; emissions from vehicles; noise; and releases to water, ground and
atmosphere. Strategies for prevention, control and mitigation are well known, and
better performance is a matter of better management to ensure that risks are
identified and the appropriate techniques and technologies applied. EMS can play
an important role in achieving continuous improvement. Schemes such as the
Considerate Constructors Scheme encourage the use of good construction site
practices.
During the building’s operation similar major potential sources of pollution are
present, including:
22
www.bre.co.uk/sustainable/service5a.html
23
Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme: http://www.energy-efficiency.gov.uk/
24
Considerate Constructors Scheme: see www.ccscheme.org.uk
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Key personnel: Planning Officer, Client Development manager, Health and Safety
Manager, LA21 Officer, Environmental Manager, Environmental Health Officer,
Construction Manager.
Construction has direct and obvious impacts on the biological environment, and has
the opportunity to achieve a great deal; not only to mitigate negative impacts, but
also to protect and enhance biodiversity, securing a sustainable environment. These
opportunities and the value derived from them will be enhanced if attention is paid to
biodiversity at the design stage of development rather than treating it as an ‘end of
pipe’ issue. To ensure that biodiversity is maintained during the life of the built
environment, action must be taken to manage and monitor those areas given over to
wildlife, including plant species.
Another way to protect and improve biodiversity through construction is to use natural
products that have been responsibly managed and harvested, such as sustainable
timber. To ensure quality, it is best to use specifications such as timber with the FSC
mark26. Other natural products include linoleum and cork.
Pressure on water resources is likely to increase in the future. Though there may be
too much water in some parts of the country, the economic and environmental costs
of treating and distributing it are increasing. There is considerable potential for
increased water efficiency in the building stock. The main gains for more sustainable
construction will come from incorporation of more water-efficient building services.
This can be as simple as specifying low flow showers, sprinkler taps and dual flush
WCs, or include more comprehensive solutions such as grey water recovery,
rainwater recovery, and drainage control.
Water audits of existing buildings will show where savings in water use can be made
when refurbishing existing buildings. Innovative technologies and research on water
conservation can be found on the DETR (now DTLR)/Environment Agency Water
Conservation Research Database27.
25
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/sub/cntryside/biodiv/ccc/bioplan/index.htm
26
See www.fsc-uk.demon.co.uk
27
www.databases.detr.gov.uk/water/index.asp
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
The drainage of green and hard areas can be improved with sustainable urban
drainage systems (SUDS). These decrease water pollution and can mitigate
localised flooding.
Respect for people is at the heart of the social responsibility dimension of sustainable
construction. A culture that emphasises the involvement of residents and building
uses will impact on recruitment and retention, equality of opportunity, access for all,
health, safety, welfare and neighbourliness.
In designing new buildings and developments, their fit with the local community
needs to be thought through and efforts made to integrate the existing community
with the new. This can be used to help regenerate an existing community.
Respect for People within construction is of vital importance for recruitment and to
improve health and safety. Indicators to measure and monitor respect for people in
terms of construction are being developed by the M4I, and the Considerate
Constructors Scheme also covers safety.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
4.8 Transport
Adopt travel policies and green travel plans. Design for mobility and accessibility.
Look for ways of reducing congestion, and providing effective alternatives to single
occupancy cars. Reduce the number of deliveries to and waste collections from
construction sites.
Planning can play a role in optimising transport needs and encouraging alternatives
to the car. A good local travel plan28 is essential, and the use of Section 10629 in
planning permissions and section 278 during development can ensure the inclusion
of local public transport options. Section 278 of Highways Act 1980, can require
developer contributions to improve highway infrastructure. By encouraging the
appropriate location of facilities, the need for travel can be reduced; PPG3 and PPG
13 place much emphasis on this.
Locating and designing buildings to improve the ability of people to reach the building
are beneficial. For instance, designing the infrastructure around a building so that it is
safe and straightforward for pedestrians and other non-car users to access, can be
key to success of a building or development.
Car parking needs to be given serious consideration, reducing the requirement for
this by introducing green travel plans can be effective, as can having public transport
routes available from the initial opening of a development.
During construction, many measures can minimise and mitigate the amount of
construction traffic. Planning to reduce over-ordering and wastage, reusing waste
on-site and ensuring the best use of vehicles can all have significant impacts.
28
See www.local-transport.dtlr.gov.uk/travelplans/
29
Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows planning authorities to require developers to enter
into obligations that alter, restrict or mitigate aspects of the development.
30
Download the report from www.defra.gov.uk/environment/sustainable/research/leadership/index.htm
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
• the local authority, particularly the Community Strategy and EMS if existing;
• the framework the local authority operates in, particularly the Best Value
framework and recent reviews including action plans and corporate aims and
objectives;
• the local area and communities;
• networks of other local authorities plus regional and national organisations;
• investigate the benefits of prefabrication.
3 Set targets, implement plans for achievement, monitor and review by:
The effectiveness of target setting is increased if the targets are embedded in the
Best Value process and the corporate sustainable development policy. A policy
statement makes clear the Local Authority’s commitment and should be backed by
open and public reporting of achievement and progress. Local authorities should
ensure that there are no conflicts between their action plan and other corporate
objectives.
Indicators and targets for the construction industry as a whole are widely available
and well used. For example, the Construction Best Practice Programmes Key
Performance Indicators31 cover issues such as profitability, predictability and defects.
The M4I’s Environmental Performance indicators32 cover six areas: embodied
energy; operational energy; water; waste; biodiversity; and transport. They are
currently developing and testing Respect for People indicators33. Design quality
indicators are under development by the Construction Industry Council and Sussex
University34. Community wide indicators are also being developed, notably an output
from the European Sustainable Cities project has been a set of indicators.35
31
See www.kpizone.com for more details.
32
See www.m4i.org.uk/publications for more details.
33
See www.rethinkingconstruction.org/index2.htm for more details
34
See www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/imichair/projects/template.cfm?content=perfinds.cfm
35
‘Towards a Local Sustainability Profile’. Available on the web:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/local_sustainability_en.pdf
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
It is the policy of Hull City Council to aim to achieve, continue to use and develop all
the actions proposed in the body of this document, using locally applicable targets,
by time scales to be agreed between the departments involved across the authority.
Sustainability will then become the norm in all the construction the authority carries
out, across new build, refurbishment, repair and maintenance. The model action
plans at the back of this document provide an example of the plans that will be
developed.
Action is vital in order to meet the requirements of the Climate Change Declaration,
and fulfil Asset Management Plan performance criteria. Additional funding and
resources may be required to meet these obligations.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Model Action Plan for the planning role This contains objectives, actions and targets, to a set time scale, upon
which Hull City Council can base their own plan.
Theme Actions – both internally in the authority, and externally through advice and What this will achieve
guidance for development in the area, to be achieved in the next five years in the next five years
Re-use • Encourage development on previously developed land. Less wastage of land, existing buildings and the
• Encourage the re-use of material, on-site and off-site. materials they contain.
Waste • Set targets for waste reduction during construction and operation. Less waste during construction and operation.
minimisation • Monitor performance and report against construction industry benchmarks where established.
& management
Minimise use of • Encourage energy efficiency targets beyond Building Regulations. Targets for energy consumption and carbon dioxide
energy • Encourage the use of renewable energy and CHP where appropriate. emissions for new projects that meet at least current
• Encourage outline plans to orientate buildings to optimise solar gain. best practice for construction type and which
contribute significantly to the achievement of
government targets.
Do not pollute • Specify performance criteria for designers and contractors in relation to pollution where relevant. Reduced pollution on construction sites, decreased
toxicity within buildings, and reduced pollution arising
from building operation.
Preserve and • Take due account of the UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plan. The protection of habitat and species taking due
enhance • In producing the Structure and Local Plans, development briefs and SPG, include reasonable measures to account of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
biodiversity protect and enhance habitat and protect species.
• Integrate the site approach with the broader based concern on biodiversity in the local plan, SPG and
development briefs.
• Co-operate with neighbouring local authorities on habitat protection.
Conserve water • Specify targets for water consumption during construction and in operation which meet at least current best Targets for water consumption for new projects that
resources practice for construction type. meet at least current best practice for construction
• Encourage measurement and reporting, as part of post project review, of performance against water type.
consumption benchmarks where established
Community • Specify Considerate Constructors Scheme or similar. Improved building user satisfaction across the
Involvement • Effective community consultation and participation in developing the Structure and Local Plans, and building stock and increased engagement with local
Development Briefs. communities as part of the decision making process.
• Visioning exercises on what the neighbourhood should be like in 25 years.
• Integration of new development with existing developments.
Transport • Increase density of development around transport nodes. Contribution to the goals for carbon dioxide
• Introduce priced or reduce parking where good alternatives to the car exist. emissions, and community health and safety.
• Include green transport plans within planning obligations.
• Increase requirement for cycle ways and secure bicycle parking
• Review car, bicycle and pedestrian priorities
• Develop a transport plan as part of the Local Plan
Local • Insert local conditions as required. Local success!
conditions
Set targets • Develop an implementation plan for each action point Measurable, achievable progress!
• Review and up-date targets in implementation plans at six-month intervals.
• Use existing and new performance indicators to monitor progress and continuous improvement.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: All new projects to carry out environmental assessment using BREEAM or equivalent.
New build projects to achieve at least a ‘very good’ rating. Refurbishment projects to achieve at least a
‘good’ rating.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: Two Rethinking Construction demonstration projects per year from 2002 to 2004.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Model Action Plan for the procurement role This contains objectives, actions and targets, to a set time scale, upon
which Hull City Council can base their own plan.
Theme Actions What this will achieve
in the next five years
Re-use • Use whole life cost assessment as part of the technical appraisal when deciding to build new or refurbish or Procurement in line with value for money principles
re-use existing assets. on the basis of whole life costs.
Waste • Set targets for waste reduction in construction and operation. Less waste during construction and in operation.
minimisation • Monitor performance and report against construction industry benchmarks where established.
& management
Minimise use of • Encourage energy efficiency targets which meet or exceed current best practice for construction type. Targets for energy consumption for new and
energy • Encourage the use of renewable energy and CHP where appropriate. refurbished buildings that meet at least current best
• Encourage orientation of buildings to optimise solar gain. practice for construction type.
• Measure and report, as part of post project reviews, performance of new projects against established
energy consumption benchmarks.
Do not pollute • Specify performance criteria for construction contractors for on-site pollution where relevant. Contribute to the goals of less pollution, better
environmental management, and improved health
and safety on construction sites, and decrease
pollution due to materials specified.
Preserve and • Take due account of the UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plan. The protection of habitat and species taking due
enhance • Take all reasonable measures to protect habitat and species on new and existing sites. Report actions account of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and
biodiversity taken in post project reviews. protection of biodiversity in the UK and elsewhere
through responsible materials specification.
Conserve water • Set targets for water consumption during construction and in operation which meet at least current best Targets for water consumption for new projects that
resources practice for construction type. meet at least current best practice for construction
• Measure and report, as part of post project review, performance of new projects against water consumption type.
benchmarks where established.
Community • Specify Considerate Constructors Scheme or similar. Improved health and safety, a better working
Involvement • Evaluate competence, resources and commitment of designers and contractors in relation to health and environment and increased productivity. Plus
safety, training and engagement with local communities. increased engagement with local communities as part
• Monitor user satisfaction. of the decision making process.
Transport • Consider the transport implications of new buildings or changing use, ie: Contribution to the goals for carbon dioxide
- Public transport service to transport hubs and housing areas, emissions, and a healthier staff and other building
- Staff travel patterns, and possible changes. users.
Local • Insert local conditions as required. Local success!
conditions
Set targets • Develop an implementation plan for each action point. Measurable, achievable progress!
• Review and up-date targets in implementation plans at six-month intervals.
• Use existing and new performance indicators to monitor progress and continuous improvement.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: all procurement decisions informed by whole life cost analysis by 2004.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: all procurement decisions informed by transport study by 2003.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: All new projects to carry out environmental assessment using BREEAM or equivalent.
New build projects to achieve at least a ‘very good’ rating. Refurbishment projects to achieve at least a
‘good’ rating.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Model Action Plan for the asset management role This contains objectives, actions and targets, to a set time scale, upon
which Hull City Council can base their own plan
Theme Actions – to apply to authority managed stock and external contracts What this will achieve
in the next five years
Re-use • Maximise the use of available space when evaluating property portfolios and business needs. Procurement in line with value for money principles
• Consider the implementation of flexible working practices to reduce the amount of space required. on the basis of whole life costs.
• Encourage the re-use of materials.
Waste • Develop waste management plans (following hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle) Less waste during operation.
minimisation • Set targets for maintenance and operational waste in offices, schools, leisure buildings, libraries and other
& management building types.
• Monitor and re-evaluate plans and targets.
Minimise use of • Monitor energy use in all buildings and set benchmarks. Targets for energy consumption that meet at least
energy • Set a programme of improvement for the whole building stock. current best practice for construction type.
• Monitor and re-evaluate plans and targets.
Do not pollute • Ensure pollution is considered in environmental management system. Less pollution in and arising from built assets.
• Review possible areas where pollution incidences might occur, monitor performance in these areas and set
targets for improvement.
Preserve and • Take due account of the UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plan in management of the built environment. The protection of habitat and species taking due
enhance • Take all reasonable measures to protect habitat and species on sites. account of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
biodiversity
Conserve water • Monitor performance and set targets for water consumption which meet at least current best practice for Targets for water consumption that meet at least
resources construction type. current best practice for construction type.
• Measure and report performance of buildings against water consumption benchmarks where established.
Community • Ensure good relationships with the local community. Better working, living and learning environments and
Involvement • Ensure the local community is informed of any changes in practices which might affect them. increased productivity, with increased engagement of
local communities.
Transport • Develop staff and user travel plans to reduce the use of and dependency on the singly occupied car. Reduced reliance on the singly occupied car, leading
• In purchasing fleet cars, consider the fuel type, engine size, etc to minimise the effect on the environment. to improved health and safety, and decreased carbon
• Ensure that the essential car users allowance and mileage rates do not reward less efficient cars. dioxide emissions.
• Ensure effective training is provided for operatives who drive for their work to optimise the fuel use.
Local • Insert local conditions as required. Local success!
conditions
Set targets • Develop an implementation plan for each action point. Measurable, achievable progress!
• Review and up-date targets in implementation plans at six-month intervals.
• Use existing and new performance indicators to monitor progress and continuous improvement.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: Exemplar energy efficiency in 50% of buildings by 2004.
• EXAMPLE TARGET: Utilise BREEAM or equivalent when considering existing buildings.
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Government links
Audit Commission (www.audit-commission.gov.uk)
The Movement for Innovation (M4I) – they run demonstration projects for non-
housing developments, and have regional clusters for information dissemination
(www.m4i.org.uk)
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Rethinking Construction has developed from The Egan Report and is a stand-alone
publication. It is now an umbrella organisation for M4I, The Housing Forum, LGTF,
and work with central government (www.rethinkingconstruction.org)
Regeneration links
Advantage West Midlands (http://www.advantage-westmidlands.co.uk)
General links
Association of Environment Conscious Builders (AECB) (www.aecb.net)
BRE – Building Research Establishment. See here for more information about Green
Guide, envest, Environmental Profiles, SMARTWaste and SMARTStart, BREEAM,
EcoHomes, and much more (www.bre.co.uk)
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Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
Construction Industry Board, which has wound down but web site is active until 2002
(www.ciboard.org.uk)
Construction Industry Council (CIC) is the representative forum for the industry’s
professional bodies, research organisations and specialist trade associations.
(www.cic.org.uk)
The Energy Saving Trust provides guidance especially for Local Authorities
(www.practicalhelp.org.uk)
Somerset Trust for Sustainable Development: aims to make sustainable design and
building practices the norm rather than the exception throughout Somerset
(www.sustainablehousing.org.uk)
CPU/ad0131dc3 - cf 23
Kingston upon Hull City Council Sustainable Construction Policy - March 2002.
European links
BEQUEST - providing a permanent resource of information for people who need
guidance on methods to improve the environmental sustainability of Urban
Development (http://www.surveying.salford.ac.uk/bqextra/).
CPU/ad0131dc3 - cf 24