Water Efficiency and the Planning System
This section provides a brief explanation of the mechanism through which the planning system can drive water efficiency using examples from the East of England.
The Government allows the planning system to mandate water efficiency targets in excess of the Building Regulations. The Code for Sustainable Homes was established as a voluntary scheme for privately funded domestic development. Likewise, BREEAM standards for non-domestic development are not part of regulation. However, local planning authorities are able to require development to meet BREEAM standards or any given level of the Code provided:
The requirement is included in a development planning document:
There are supporting policies higher in the planning hierarchy:
There is demonstrable local need:
