n Environmental Impact Assessments

n Code for Sustainable Homes

n Carbon Footprint Studies

Are you considering a development andwant to know how its impact on theenvironment will be viewed by a PlanningAuthority?

Do you want to know the Carbon Footprintof your development?

Does your residential proposal meet therequirements of the Code for SustainableHomes?

As the focus on environmental regulationstightens, it is becoming more and moreimportant that developers consider,minimise and mitigate the impact of theirdevelopments on the environment,whether it is in terms of sustainabledrainage, ecological impact, carbonfootprint, waste management, waterusage, road traffic, material usage, or anyother new planning requirement.

Cole Easdon Consultants can help you.

Our expertise in assessing environmentalimpacts relating to buildingdevelopments, coupled with our intimateknowledge of the planning process, meanswe can give you the best possible adviceand practical support to move yourproject forward.

Environment

EnvironmentServices

Abbotswood, Romsey: We produced thehydrology & drainage chapter, theinfrastructure service chapter and thetransportation chapter for anEnvironmental Statement for a proposed800 dwelling residential development.We also provided 18 and 24-hour AnnualAverage Weekly Traffic (AAWT) andAnnual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) datafor the noise and air quality consultants.

Olympic White Water & Canoe SlalomCourse, Broxbourne: We produced thetransportation chapter for anEnvironmental Statement for a venue sitefor a White Water Canoe Centre for boththe 2012 London Olympics and legacyuses.

Queensway, Lytham St Annes: Weproduced the transportation chapter foran Environmental Statement for aproposed 1,150 dwelling residentialdevelopment.

Olympic Equestrian Events, Greenwich:We produced the transportation chapterfor the Environmental Statementsubmitted in support of a planningapplication for the proposed temporaryarena at Greenwich Park to host theOlympic Equestrian events.

Examples of Our Work

SUR 1 and SUR 2 Assessments

Nutburn Road, North Baddesley,Hampshire: We produced the hydrology &drainage chapter, as well as thetransportation chapter for anEnvironmental Statement for a proposed44 dwelling residential development.

Lingley Mere Business Park, Warrington:We produced the hydrology & drainagechapter, the infrastructure servicechapter and the transportation chapterfor an Environmental Statement for theplanned expansion of a Business Park toaccommodate a further 1,000,000 ft² ofoffice development.

Eastwood, BarnetTurkey Shore Road, HolyheadSandleaze, WortonGolden Lion, Frampton CotterellEast Road, LondonStanley Road, TeddingtonDyke Road Avenue, BrightonElmstone Lane, MaidstoneFalkland Road, WallaseyGlanhwfa Road, LlangefniGS3, ChesterMasons Hill, BromleyBlackborough Road, ReigateSt Hildas Hall, Gloucester

Dauntsey's School, West Lavington, Wiltshire.

Arnold's Farm, Lacock.

Swindon Office (Head Office)York House, Edison ParkDorcan Way, Swindon

Wiltshire SN3 3RB

Tel: 01793 619 965Email: sn@ColeEasdon.com

Warrington OfficeCinnamon House, Cinnamon Park

Crab Lane, FearnheadWarrington, Cheshire WA2 0XP

Tel: 01925 661 707Email: wa@ColeEasdon.com

Bristol Office2430/2440 The QuadrantAztec West, AlmondsburyBristol BS32 4AQ

Tel: 01454 877 636Email: br@ColeEasdon.com

www.ColeEasdon.com

All photographs are © www.tobycarter.com with the exception of the aerial photograph which is reproduced with theexpress permission of Primegate Properties ltd and the photographs of Greenwich Park and Lacock which are the

property of Cole Easdon Consultants.

EnvironmentalImpact Assessments

An Environmental Impact Assessment isthe process of identifying, predicting,evaluating and mitigating the ecological,physical, social and other relevant effectsof development proposals prior todecisions being taken.

European legislation requires developersto circulate an Environmental Statementto statutory consultees, such as LocalPlanning Authorities, and to make thereport available for public informationand comment.

The output of an EnvironmentalStatement usually includes:

n A description of the project.n The alternatives that have been

considered.n A description of the environment.n A description of the significant effects

on the environment.n The actions that can/will be taken to

mitigate these effects.n A non-technical summary to clearly

inform the public without resorting tojargon.

This enables the Local Planning Authorityto consider the environmental impact of aproposed development, along with anyintended mitigation measures, prior togranting planning permission.

The requirement for an EnvironmentalImpact Assessment is dependent upon thetype and size of development proposed,as well as the location.

n Provide the Local Planning Authoritywith an objective assessment of theenvironmental impact of any newdevelopment.

n Set out the actions required tomitigate any negative environmentaleffects.

n Provide an independent, objectiveanalysis to allay general public fearsbased on lack of information orunderstanding.

n Identify the information required forenvironmental management duringthe construction stage.

The Benefits of an EnvironmentalImpact Assessment

We undertake those elements of environmental studies relating to transportation,hydrology (Water Management) and infrastructure, presenting the results as appropriatechapters for inclusion in the Environmental Statement. Our expertise enables us toadvise developers on what environmental information should accompany a planningapplication, thus minimising the risk of delays to the planning process.

In preparing the relevant chapters for the Environmental Statement, we will:

n Consider the implications of relevant national, regional and local policies.n Clearly identify and quantify the environmental impact of specific elements of the

development, for example, the effects of additional vehicle traffic.n Recommend alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of the proposed

development.n Provide advice on the development and implementation of the most appropriate and

cost effective mitigation measures.n We can also provide suitable traffic data for the noise and air quality consultants.

How We Can Help

A professional and tailoredEnvironmental Impact Assessment will:

n Take into account the requirements ofthe European Directive as well asspecific national and localrequirements.

n Provide developers with theenvironmental information needed byLocal Planning Authorities to gaintimely planning consent for theirdevelopment proposals.

Greenwich Park.

Code forSustainable Homes

The house building industry faces asignificant challenge in coming years to beable to meet mandatory sustainabilitystandards. Builders, developers,planners, architects, designers, quantitysurveyors, materials suppliers and productmanufacturers will all be affected.

The Code for Sustainable Homes,launched on 13th December 2006, is thenational standard for sustainable designand construction. It is a comprehensiveenvironmental assessment applicable tonew build residential developments.

The Code assesses each building againstthe following nine environmentalprinciples;

Energy & CO2 emissionsWater usageMaterialsSurface water run-offWastePollutionHealth & Well-beingManagementEcology

Points are awarded for performanceagainst each principle and an overall levelbetween 1* and 6* is calculated at the endof the process. (The highest level, Code6*, being a zero carbon home).

Code assessment is carried out in twostages:

n An initial assessment is undertakenbased on design drawings andspecifications and a star rating (level) isgiven.

n A final assessment is then undertakenonce the development has beencompleted. Records and visualinspections are required, to ensure thatthe design has been carried out inaccordance with the initial specificationand still merits the initial rating (if thisis not the case, then the star rating willbe recalculated according to what hasactually been constructed).

How We Can HelpThe progressive implementation of theCode for Sustainable Homes will be drivenby legislation as the government seeks toachieve its climate change targets.

Currently:

n All publicly funded residentialdevelopments must reach Code Level 3.

n In Wales, all new dwellings are requiredto attain a level of the Code.

n Code level 3 compliance in England iscurrently voluntary. However, this isexpected to change and becomemandatory in the very near future.

n If a Code assessment is undertaken,developers will need to demonstratecompliance at the planning applicationstage.

Benefits of theCode for Sustainable Homes

As well as benefiting the environment andfuture residents, compliance with theCode for Sustainable Homes will benefithouse builders:

n Homes built to the Code standard, willresult in lower running costs for futureresidents and this should increase thevalue and desirability of the property.

n Developers can use the Code todemonstrate their environmentalcredentials and in so doing, positivelydifferentiate themselves from theircompetitors.

n The Code will link standards of energyefficiency to the future direction ofbuilding regulations. Using the Code willtherefore provide more certainty forhome builders as they perform theirbusiness and investment planning.

n Homes built to the Code standard willenhance the comfort and satisfaction ofresidents, leading to more satisfiedcustomers.

n Overall the Code offers a standoutbadge of environmental stability both inthe way a house has been constructedand its ongoing environmental impact.

Our expertise includes Code forSustainable Homes assessments and ourservices include:

n An introductory meeting to explain allthe issues involved in attaining a Coderating, including a sample assessment ofa project at design stage.

n A Code assessment service tailored tothe client and project requirements.

n Our qualified assessors are allocated toeach project and will be your singlepoint of contact for all technicalmatters throughout the constructionprocess. This contact allows theassessor to fully understand the projectand your construction methods. Theassessor should be part of the designteam from inception, as the intendedCode rating will have implications forall aspects of the proposal.

n As well as completing a full Codeassessment, we can undertake Sur 1 & 2assessments for development sizesranging from a single dwelling to largeresidential estates, in order to satisfythe drainage & flood risk elements ofthe Code for Sustainable Homes.

Folly Park, Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

Carbon Footprint Studies

It is important to understand the effect ofthe entire lifecycle of a project. CarbonFootprint Studies can take into accountthe carbon footprint of the whole projectby calculating the amount of carbondioxide produced at each stage:

n The carbon dioxide generated duringconstruction, including travel to andfrom the site by construction workersand the embodied carbon dioxide ofmaterials used for construction such asclay or PVC pipe work.

The Benefits ofCarbon Footprint Studies

Our expertise includes the carrying out ofCarbon Footprint Studies. Our servicesinclude:

n An introductory meeting to explain allthe issues involved in carrying out aCarbon Footprint Study, including asample study.

n Identifying the re-use of materials inBrownfield developments to reduce itsCarbon Footprint

n A Carbon Footprint Study tailored to theclient and project requirements.

How We Can Help

As well as benefiting the environment andconsumers, Carbon Footprint Studies willbenefit developers:

n The study will enable developers tocompare the sustainability of differentdesigns and materials for the project.

n Carbon Footprint Studies can beincorporated into project specific WasteManagement Plans.

n Overall the study offers a standoutbadge of environmental stability both inthe way a development has beenconstructed and its ongoingenvironmental impact.

n The carbon dioxide generated by thebuilding in its everyday use, as a resultof energy usage for lighting, hot water,heating etc.

n The carbon dioxide generated duringdecommissioning.

Hook Street, Swindon.