CNDG engagement
We have now delivered a Carbon Neutral Design Guide and set up a Carbon Neutral Review Panel, both are already in operation for the city.
The Planning Policy Team are now working in collaboration with other departments to elevate the contents of the Carbon Neutral Design Guide to Supplementary Policy Document status.
This is how we are co-developing this Carbon Neutral Design Guide.
Design Criteria Sources
We are have evaluated the information below. This has informed our CNDG criteria:
What we need to think about, presentation by Anthony Dalby from NTU
How to tackle climate change through Historic Buildings, Nottingham City Council
Open and Green Spaces Quality Audit 2021, Nottingham City Council
Highway Tree Design Guide, Newcastle City Council
Assessment of Energy performance of Buildings, Consulting group advice to UK government.
What other UK authorities are doing, RENEW124 network comments
City Policy Framework for Dramatically Reducing Embodied Carbon, CNCA
Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment, CSIC
LETI Client Guide for net zero carbon buildings, LETI
Analysis of comments from local architectural practices, Kindly organised by RIBA
The choice between demolition or reuse: developer insights - UKGBC - UK Green Building Council
Case Studies Recommended to NCC:
Magnitude 314, the first building verified as Net Zero Carbon for construction in line with UKGBC's Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition.
Case study compilation, by Julian Marsh
Powerhouse Telemark office, Norway
Carbon Negative Office, Watermead Business Park
Northampton International Academy — AI (architectureinitiative.com)
GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry
Living Future Institute Case Studies
If you have any more guidance, ideas or case studies that you would like us to consider, please do share them with us by clicking here. Many thanks.
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ENGAGEMENT OUTCOMES
Update 1st November 2021
The initial daft guide, already available online, involves a few key points that highlight processes or criteria that is realistic and achievable but that could make a difference during pre-app and planning stages. However, the CNDG will be delivered in stages, revised regularly with added criteria, case studies, examples, etc. This ‘organic growth’ approach allows us to begin making changes faster and to test new processes and criteria step by step.
The CNDG and the City Council Planning teams are currently reviewing the applicability of the initial draft guide, comparing it with other standards and guides suggested as best practice during the engagement. Those involved are looking at the possibility to adopt the application of some readily available tools during the planning process in Nottingham. This process will take 4 weeks.
Later on the guide/criteria will be amended as necessary before starting a pilot phase where it will be applied to volunteering projects in planning stage.
To participate with your views please use this link:
Update 12th October 2021
Debriefing by Laura Alvarez: progress to date and the draft CNDG was introduced
Delegates agreed to review the draft guide and send comments.
Update 2nd August 2021
Agenda:
6:00pm – Introductions
6:10pm – Debriefing by Laura Alvarez: progress to date
6:20pm – Presentation by Anthony Dalby, NTU: Bringing it all together
6:30pm – Julian Marsh’s work: sharing best practice examples
6:45pm – Discussion about possible next steps
7:00pm – Closing remarks & goodbye
Outcomes:
NCC had a Nottingham Climate Emergency Design Initiative meeting last week and we discussed how the DQF and specifically the CNDG could help achieving CN in practice, here is a summary of the discussions:
LIMITATIONS:
- The DQF is ‘guidance’ only, not policy
- The DQF is practical in giving information to applicants regarding planning process, submission requirements and design criteria to follow
- The enforcement of the DQF is limited and it depends on the officers and teams involved in the planning process
- Achieving carbon neutrality goes beyond the limits of the DQF CNDG, but this could be made part of the overall picture, playing a role as information sharing and clarifying the processes involved thought planning
OPPORTUNITIES:
- The DQF could incorporate a checklist as part of the design process (e.g. what to consider and when to consider it). The Check-list is currently being developed.
- The DQF could summarise the process that needs to take place to secure better environmental approaches to design
- The DQF could point towards the support and expertise needed at each stage and where to find this
WHAT WOULD BE USEFUL TO NCC:
- Establishing an independent Carbon Neutral Design Review Panel (CNDRP) to review schemes during the pre-app and planning process, making recommendations for improvements. The RIBA is supportive of this and would suggest that there are local architects already engaged in the discussion, who have the design and technical knowledge to play an important role in the Panel.
- The CNDRP could also offer design support and technical expertise to designers from early stages in the design process. Architect members of the Panel could potentially offer this as part of the review process.
- Training is necessary, for officers and committee members; not only regarding the new processes involved but also the key criteria of the checklist. The RIBA has already offered this as part of the discussions regarding the 2028 Climate Action Plan. This could include a focus on the RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide and 2030 Climate Challenge and feature both RIBA staff experts and case studies via practices already engaging in the process.