Vision

We have made a commitment to have a Carbon Neutral Nottingham in 2028. We need to be reducing our emissions by 22-23% each year now to reach carbon neutrality. We are currently reducing at a rate of 3.5%. So plenty to do!

NOTE: “Plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, taking into account the long-term implications for flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes, and the risk of overheating from rising temperatures…help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as through its location, orientation and design.” (NPPF, 14.158 & 159).

Design Criteria

CN.1.1 Follow the guidance in our Climate Led Design section.

CN.1.2 Engage in a pre-application process with the City Council’s CN Design Review Panel.

CN.1.3 Adhere to the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide (2019).

CN.1.4 Include an Environmental Strategy Document and proof that the BREEAM process has been registered as part of the pre-application/planning application submission. For Major Projects, also include the Certified BREEAM Interim Design Stage Assessment.

CN.1.5 Demonstrate how BREEAM minimum Very Good level will be achieve through design.

CN.1.6 Demonstrate how building, public realm and highways materials used are from a sustainable source, recycled, upcycled, manufactured and transported with minimum carbon emissions and preferable, from a local or national supplier.

CN.1.7 Demonstrate how a passive/fabric-first approach was considered through all the stages of the design process, as opposed to relying on retro-fitting and high tech solutions:

• Some of the main factors that need to be considered at the early stages of a design are: Building orientation; Building form, massing and fenestration; Followed by: Method of construction, Building materials used in construction, Potential for passive heating and cooling, Potential for renewables, Extent of Daylighting, Autonomy.

• “Introducing natural cooling with or without fan assistance should be a starting point in arriving at a design solution. Typically for example, introducing air conditioning will increase the energy use in a building by between 35% and 60%” (Architects Climate Action Network, 2021).

Information needed to facilitate the appraisal process

• A detailed specification of materials with U values and total carbon content.

• An energy statement that builds on the energy strategy and sets out exactly how the strategy will be embodied practically within the building.

• The full process report showing how a minimum of a Very Good BREEAM rating will be achieved.

• A worked-out design strategy for reducing water use with numerical justification.

• Where demolitions are proposed, an embodied carbon calculation is required to prove that demolition and new build is the least carbon intensive option (as opposed to retrofit) in the long term.

• For Major Projects over 1000 m2:

  • Use a reputable Energy Analysis Software (integrated or stand-alone) that is adequate for the type and scale of project to inform decision making during the design process and report values obtained at each stage of the design process or for each design iteration.

  • Provide an energy statement that shows the designed performance of the building and sets out the total heating and cooling energy requirement per annum. This needs to be accompanied by a calculation of how 10% of that requirement will be generated renewably and include drawings to show it physically located.

  • Comply with the Drainage Best Practice.

  • Demonstrate that a member of your design team has relevant sustainable construction sector specialisms and is capable of delivering a responsible retrofit of low carbon measures.

After planning stage

In the 2025 uplift to Building Regulations, a requirement to monitor the environmental performance of a completed building is likely to be introduced. If buildings are going to perform as designed, they need to be checked and maintained.

For major projects, the developers might be required to submit the certified final BREEAM Certificate from the Construction Stage Assessment before the building is occupied. This might be included in the planning approval as a condition.