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Leeds plans for a greener future

Posted: 27/08/2007

All major developments in Leeds could soon have to be more sustainable and eco-friendly if proposals drawn-up by Leeds City Council are given the go-ahead. The plans for set standards of sustainable design and construction have been put together as part of the council’s commitment to being a greener local authority and to ensure Leeds continues to be a competitive, leading European city for both business and leisure.

If agreed, the plans would mean that many aspects of the design, construction and long term use of developments would have to meet strict environmental standards. As part of the proposals, residents in Leeds are being encouraged to take part in a public consultation of the draft ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ to make sure their views help shape the future development of the city.

The consultation will end at 5pm on Monday, 10 September, 2007.

The new planning documents outline what standards new major developments will have to meet, and includes: energy efficiency and reducing emissions; water usage; using reused, recycled or local building materials; and providing adequate space for recycling and composting.

Councillor Andrew Carter, executive board member responsible for development, commenting on the proposals, said: “There are many issues which need to be considered as part of the development of this city – one of which is both the short and long term impact that any new building or refurbishment has on the environment. There is an increasing need, and indeed expectation, for developments to be ecofriendly in their design, construction and long term use and these documents have been drafted with these points in mind. In order to ensure Leeds continues to be a leading European city, and remains an attractive and competitive centre for business and leisure, it will need modern, ecofriendly buildings which don’t rely on expensive fossil fuels and have the smallest impact on the environment as possible.

“This consultation is an ideal opportunity for local people to have an input into the city’s future development and everyone’s opinions gathered during the consultation will be taken into consideration.”

Other points which have been drafted into the documents include:

• Improving existing buildings for long life, low maintenance and energy efficiency
• Avoiding light pollution
• Measuring, integrating and enhancing wildlife
• Reducing the need to travel and encourage walking, cycling and car
sharing
• Creating an accessible environment for all users
• Ensuring that all housing is built to lifetimes homes standards
• Encouraging considerate and efficient construction site practices.

The agreed standards will apply to all major developments, either new build or conversion, in the city and will be reviewed regularly. To help developers meet the standards, a framework has been drawn-up with details of all the specifications which need to be met and all the relevant information that major development planning applicants must provide.

The document is based upon the council's Sustainability Appraisal Framework and asks questions relevant to major developments. Assessment will be on a site by site basis, recognising the priorities relevant to the site and all applications to be assessed in a timely, robust and fair manner.

The documents can be read and commented on at www.leeds.gov.uk/ldf; at the Leonardo building on Rossington Street; and in the city’s libraries and One Stop Centres. Comments can also be made by calling 0113 2478144; or by emailing ldf@leeds.gov.uk.

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