Sustainable Buildings

Sustainable Building reflects the principals of sustainable development i.e. environmental protection, economic development, and social development, in the siting, design, building, maintenance and occupation of buildings.

Sustainable buildings are designed and constructed to high environmental standards and thereby; minimise energy requirements, reduce water consumption, use materials which are of low environmental impact e.g. low embodied energy and resource efficient, reduce wastage, conserve and enhance the natural environment and safeguard human health and wellbeing.

The delivery of Sustainable Built Environment is a national policy objective.  The Northwest Development Agency supports this objective and in 2007 introducted the regional Sustainable Buildings Policy, Guidance Note and Checklist.

Sustainable Buildings Policy

The NWDA Sustainable Buildings Policy details what the Agency’s ten Sustainable Buildings themes are and identifies the relevant Key Performance Indicators and BREEAM for the evaluation of developments.  The ten policy themes are:

• Carbon
• Water
• Waste
• Place Shaping and Adaptation
• Transport
• Community
• Employment & Training
• Business
• User Satisfaction & Comfort
• Whole Life Value

To download the NWDA's Sustainable Buildings Policy click here.

Sustainable Buildings Guidance Note

In support of the Sustainable Buildings Policy is the Sustainable Buildings Guidance Note.  It is a larger document that ‘outlines the approach that the NWDA will take in identifying, assessing and evaluating the actions taken by project applicants in support of the Sustainable Buildings Policy’. The Guidance Note differs from the Policy in that it details tools and measures for each of the ten themes, it identifies the primary policy objectives and targets and details what should be done when (1. Concept stage 2. Development and Appraisal Stage 3. Post Construction).

To download the NWDA's Sustainable Buildings Guidance Note click here.

Sustainability Checklist for Developments

The Northwest Sustainability Checklist for Developments is used by developers and architects to demonstrate at design and planning stage how sustainability has been integrated into a development as it is undertaken between concept and D&A stage.

To view the NWDA's Sustainability Checklist for Developments click here.