Resources

“A well-designed place is durable and adaptable, so that it works well over time and reduces long-term resource needs.” – The National Design Guide

VISION

Kent will manage its resources efficiently and in ways that minimise energy use and carbon emissions, and enhance nature and natural solutions. We will consider and account for the full lifecycle of our buildings and materials, and apply the circular economy principles of reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle as standard across our county. Kent residents will be encouraged and supported to play their part, through using their own resources efficiently and living and working as sustainably as possible once construction is complete. New developments in Kent will strive to preserve precious natural resources through their design.

EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT

Kent’s location, long coastline and low-lying areas all make our country vulnerable to sea level rises, flooding and habitat loss. To make your development climate-resilient, you need to manage resources through every part of your design. Don’t start with the buildings: first, consider your site’s natural features, including preserving topsoil and making use of natural drainage. Use trees and other planting to help manage microclimate, provide shade, and manage water; aspect can be harnessed for natural heating and cooling. Future-proofing in this way reduces the need for redevelopment and unnecessary waste; where future proofing isn’t possible, design should enable buildings to be easily adaptable.

MINIMISE ENERGY USE

Your layout should aim to minimise energy use at every stage, from how your buildings are constructed to how residents live in and move around the place. Your buildings should have the lowest possible carbon footprint, with high fabric standards to minimise energy use and future-proof them against changing standards and climate. You should also consider local energy generation to aid decarbonisation. On a human level, we want to see connectivity throughout your places, which should be compact, walkable and multifunctional. For example, St Peter’s village has been designed to ensure the new community buildings and facilities are within walking distance of new houses and includes a network of new footpaths.

BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

We want to see designs that embrace modern construction technology and methods that reduce both the energy required and waste produced by new buildings. This includes grey water management and measures to reuse heat and water. You could consider off-site manufacturing, which is already happening in Kent, on developments such as Kitchener Barracks in Chatham. Buildings and spaces should work together to provide a pleasant microclimate.

We’re also keen to promote the use of locally-sourced materials such as timber. This supports the local Kent economy, reflect the area’s character and makes construction more sustainable. At the same time, you should look to use traditional materials in innovative ways to add to your place’s character and identity.

HELP RESIDENTS LIVE SUSTAINABLY

Your design must remove barriers to behavioural change and help residents make sustainable decisions. Among other features, we want to see easy-to-use recycling facilities within homes and across the development, smart control systems that promote energy efficiency, water-efficient devices built in as standard, water storage facilities in gardens, grey water recycling measures and space for composting or allotments in communities.

Please avoid:
Designs that ignore aspect and solar gain in helping to manage energy use
Making places that prevent people choosing low-carbon forms of transport
Development that cannot be potentially adapted over time; this risks wasting embedded energy

Further Guidance and Best Practice:

Gov.uk – Resources and Waste Strategy for England (December 2018)

UK Green Building Council – Circular Economy Guidance for Construction Clients (April 2019)

Sustainability Checklist:

This characteristic is particularly important for Resource Efficiency and Climate Resilience.

VISION

EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT

MINIMISE ENERGY USE

BUILD FOR THE FUTURE

HELP RESIDENTS LIVE SUSTAINABLY

Further Guidance and Best Practice:

Sustainability Checklist:

Characteristic Links:

Context

Public Spaces

Identity

Community Uses

Built Form

Homes & Buildings

Movement & Connectivity

Resources

Nature

Lifespan