This month’s round-up includes water management improvements following recent UK floods, the potential to recycle buildings, and suitability of mitigation to the Solent’s nitrate issue; Planning cities to be more gender inclusive, looking at the current system in Barcelona, and finally a look at initial plans for Southampton Airport’s expansion and the announcement of the UK’s first zero-emission street.

Better Water Management Required to Make More Resilient Places (The Planner – Requires Login)

“Better management of water through the planning system is 'vital' to making places more resilient to the climate crisis, according to the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).” 

“CIRIA explained that its new guidance - Delivering better water management through the planning system (C787) - identifies the critical factors required for successful integrated water management (IWM). It aims to support those involved in the planning process to "ensure that high quality developments with good water management are cost effectively delivered".” 

“It [CIRIA Guidance] is aimed at local planning authorities, lead local flood authorities, developers, water companies, landscape architects and engineers involved in infrastructure and drainage.” 

“Victoria Hills, chief executive of the RTPI, said: “We’ve been pleased to support this project through our role on the steering group, and commend both CIRIA and the authors for producing a clear and informative guide. Through practical advice and case studies, this shows the importance of considering water early in the planning process, and how to take a more integrated approach.” 

Follow the link for the full CIRIA guidance download.

How We Can Recycle More Buildings (Ghaffar.S – The Conversation)

“A critical component of the UK government’s sustainability strategy concerns the way in which construction and demolition waste – CDW, as we call it in the trade – is managed. CDW comes from the construction of buildings, civil infrastructure and their demolition and is one of the heaviest waste streams generated in the world – 35% of the world’s landfill is made up of CDW.” 

“The EU’s Waste Framework Directive, which aims to recycle 70% of non-hazardous CDW by 2020, has encouraged the construction industry to process and reuse materials more sustainably.” 

“Instead of simply knocking buildings down and sending the CDW to landfill, circular construction would turn building components that are at the end of their service life into resources for others, minimising waste.” 

“...it is illegal in the EU to use products that haven’t been certified for construction. This is one of the main obstacles standing in the way of the more widespread reuse of materials, particularly in a structural capacity.” 

“Only through a combination of efforts can we start to recycle more buildings, but I’m confident that with the right will – and the right investment – we can start to massively reduce the amount of materials we pull from the ground each year and move towards a truly sustainable future.”

Nitrate Neutrality in the Solent: The Need To Be Precise When Offsetting Agricultural Land (Adams Hendry)

“Adams Hendry assisted Fareham Borough Council in defending the appeal. An advice note by Natural England “Achieving Nutrient Neutrality for New Development in the Solent Region” June 2019 sets out a methodology and measures to avoid and mitigate against likely effects on European Nature Conservation Sites in the Solent.” 

“Natural England’s guidance covers the off-setting of additional nitrogen that would be generated by the development by taking agricultural land out of production in perpetuity... The appeal proposal for 100 houses in Warsash, Fareham proposed to offset the assessed horticultural use of the appeal site and additional agricultural land out of production at another location within the Solent catchment in Stubbington...” 

“The Inspector concluded, “active agricultural use of the site accounts for only a small fraction of its overall area, and this is also likely to reflect the situation in the recent past.” ... “This evidence does not therefore form a sound basis upon which to classify the whole site area as falling within a particular category of agricultural use.”” 

“Andrew Burgess, Senior Consultant at Adams Hendry comments, “This appeal decision advances the approach to be taken when assessing the agricultural use of land proposed for offsetting. It is clearly important to take a robust approach that considers the parts of the site currently in active agricultural use and the prospects of a development site realistically returning to agriculture. Relying on the past agricultural use of an entire site in the last 10 years, which has been disused, is proven by this decision to not be a reasonable approach to mitigating the effects of increased nitrogen in the wastewater of new housing.””

What Can Cities Imagined by Women Look Like? The Case of Barcelona (ArchDaily)

“With basic different needs, men and women expect different outcomes from their urban surroundings. A city should be able to fulfill [sic] everyone’s essentials. Lately, the topic that has everyone's attention revolves around cities designed by women. With a female mayor onboard and a feminist agenda, for the past four years, Barcelona has been undergoing major transformations on this subject.”

“Stephanie Hegarty speaks to many experts in urban planning and design, working on the case of Barcelona, to draw guidelines that could help cities become “better” for women and paint a picture of what the future can look like.” 

“Redefining needs where everyone feels equal is more than just a question of security and services. In fact, it’s about thinking how each of us uses space differently.”

[This article links to and summarises a podcast from the BBC, follow the link for further information]

Runway at Southampton Airport Could be Extended (The Planner – Requires Login)

“Southampton Airport has submitted an application to Eastleigh Borough Council for the extension of its runway by 164 metre. The planning application represents the first phase of growth outlined the airport's masterplan, A Vision For Sustainable Growth.” 

“As well as extension of the northern end of the runway, the proposal comprises construction of an associated blast screen to the north of the proposed runway extension, removal of existing bund, and the reconfiguration and extension of existing long-stay car parking...” 

“He explained that the longer runway would enable the airport to increase its financial contribution from £160 million to £400 million a year and create more than 500 new jobs.” 

“He [Managing Director Neil Garwood] explained that the longer runway would enable the airport to increase its financial contribution from £160 million to £400 million a year and create more than 500 new jobs.”

UK’s First Zero-Emission Street Announced (The Planner – Requires Login) 

“The City of London Corporation has approved plans to make Beech Street the UK’s first zero-emission street as it looks to improve air quality in the Square Mile. Beech Street, part of which runs under the Barbican Estate, would be restricted to zero-emission vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians by spring 2020. This is subject to final approval by Transport for London (TfL).” 

“The City of London Corporation explained that there would be several exceptions: emergency vehicles, access to the car parks off Beech Street and refuse collection and deliveries. The fully electric 153 bus route that runs down Beech Street is unaffected by the changes.” 

“The experiment, which aims to bring nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels within air quality guidelines... will run for a maximum of 18 months while the impact is monitored. If deemed successful, the trial may be made permanent.” 

“Streets and walkways sub (planning and transportation) committee chairman Oliver Sells QC said the scheme would bring “substantial” health benefits to those who live and work in the Barbican area, and would also help to reduce noise pollution.”

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