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Understanding the Code for Sustainable Homes
Housing developments built to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes imply that there are zero carbon emissions; the water consumption is very low and the development is built in sympathy with the environment.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) was developed and launched in April 2007 by the Government’s Department for Local Communities and Government (DCLG). DCLG’s role is to create thriving, sustainable, vibrant communities that improve everyone's quality of life. To learn more about this Government dept, click here.
The Code is intended as a single national standard to guide industry in the design and construction of sustainable homes. It is a means of driving continuous improvement, greater innovation and exemplary achievement in sustainable home building.
CSH is an independent, transparent, environmental labelling scheme for housing. The scheme covers houses and apartments, both at the design stage and post- construction of new-builds and major refurbishments.
CSH assesses the environmental quality of a development by considering the broad concerns of climate change, use of resources, pollution, and impacts on bio-diversity. These concerns are balanced against the need for a high quality internal environment.
The issues assessed by CSH are grouped into the nine categories below.
Energy/ CO2; operational energy and CO2
Water consumption issues
Materials; environmental impacts of materials selection, recyclable materials
Surface water flood risk
Waste reduction and recycling of household and construction waste
Pollution; air and water pollution (excluding CO2)
Health and wellbeing; internal and external issues relating to health and comfort
Management; site management and security
Ecology; ecological value of the site, planting and landscaping
Energy/ CO2; operational energy and CO2
- Carbon emissions must be reduced significantly, and this will be achieved through installing a biomass boiler for hot water and heating, which will use alternative sources of fuel e.g. wood pellets
- The building will have high levels of insulation, and the material will be responsibly sourced.
- At least 75% of all the lights and fittings supplied in each home will be energy efficient.
- Over bath drying lines will be provided for all apartments.
- We will provide 'Energy labelled' kitchen appliances – for example; A+ rated fridges and freezers, A rated washing machines and dishwashers, B rated washer dryers and tumble dryers.
- Lighting of common areas will be provided by dedicated energy-efficient fittings and will take into account needs of visually impaired people.
- Burglar security lights will have a max. voltage of 150W and fitted with movement detecting control devices and daylight cut-off sensors. All other security lights will have dedicated energy efficient fittings and fitted with daylight cut-off sensors or timers.
- Safe, secure, weatherproof cycle storage racks will be provided for 36 cycles.
- We will provide space for a home office.
The benefits to the tenants include improved heating and lower energy bills, as well as ensuring all homes are safe and secure.
Water consumption issues
- Water consumption of 80 litres per day per person or less is a mandatory requirement for Level 5. We will achieve this by carefully assessing the type of appliances we provide, for example dual flush WCs; showers that use less water and baths that have a smaller capacity. We will also make it possible to collect rainwater and recycle it where appropriate.
- Water butts will be provided for use of external irrigation.
Tenants will benefit from reduced water bills as a result of reducing the amount of water used.
Materials; environmental Impacts of materials selection, recyclable materials
- We must consider the impact on the environment when we select building materials. At least three of the five key building elements must achieve a Green Guide 2007 Rating of A+ to D.
- Materials at Birchway will include:
Floors - timber decking
Roofs – green roof over timber frame
External Walls – insulated weatherboard, brick and render
Internal Walls – stud walls
Windows – uPVC triple glazed
Materials must be sourced responsibly and we will use FSC certified timber and EMS certified light-gauge steel elements.
Surface water flood risk
- It is important the development does not increase the likelihood of flooding; we will carry out a flood risk assessment and ensure we implement measures so that surface run off will not exceed that of the pre-development site, for example a green roof will help run off from the roof and sustainable drainage systems will assist the run off from the paved areas and roads.
Waste reduction and recycling of household and construction waste
- We will provide sufficient bin storage for household waste. It will be large enough to accommodate minimum capacity for non-recycling space as calculated by BS 5906. A minimum of 30l internal storage will be provided for recyclable waste and more than three types of recyclable material will be collected.
- We will implement a Site Waste Management Plan to monitor the amount of waste generated on site, during construction and after completion.
- We are committed to minimising waste generated on site and to sort, reuse and recycle construction waste. We will set targets to promote resource efficiency and implement procedures to achieve these targets.
- It is possible to compost some household waste and we will provide communal composting facilities which will be run by a management plan.
Pollution; air and water pollution (excluding CO2)
- Global warming is an important factor in all our lives and we must work to reduce the potential of global warming (GWP) in the materials we use to insulate the homes. We will only use materials that are have a low GWP in all these areas:
Roofs (including loft access)
Walls, internal and external (including lintels and all acoustic insulation)
Floors (including ground and upper floors)
Hot water cylinder, pipe insulation and other thermal stores
Coldwater storage tanks where provided
External doors
- We will install a biomass boiler – it is efficient heating system that reduces the level of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Health and wellbeing; internal and external issues relating to health and comfort
- An important feature of the design is that key rooms have high daylight factors and a view of the sky. Key rooms are; living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and studies
- Birchway Eco-Community is designed so that all key rooms have a view of the sky and the position and dimensions of the windows and doors ensure there is plenty of natural light. We have also been careful not to build too close to other buildings that may obstruct views.
- Sound insulation must meet standards laid down in the Building Regulations Part E relating to the noise of aircraft and other external noises - Airborne: 8db higher; Impact: 8dB lower. We will carry out robust tests to ensure the sound insulation meets those standards.
- 11 apartments will have their own private amenity space. The remaining apartments will benefit from a sizeable 70m2 communal space that will be safe and secure for everyone to enjoy.
- All outside space will be accessible for wheelchair users.
- All homes will meet the criteria laid down by the principles of the Lifetime Homes scheme.
Management; site management and security
- We will provide all residents with a Home Users Guide that explains how to operate and use all the appliances, fixtures and fittings in their home.
- The Home Users Guide will also provide information on the site and surroundings.
- The Guide will be available in several languages and in different formats, upon request.
- Our constructors will comply with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and always follow best practice – for example they will monitor carbon dioxide emissions from the construction site as well as site related transport and keep them to a low level to minimise discomfort to the local residents. They will also monitor the air pollution and amount of dust created to ensure it is kept at a reasonable level and the water supply kept clean.
- The whole development has been designed to meet Secured by Design standards. Secured by Design is a police scheme to encourage the building industry to use crime-prevention measures when building houses. The scheme’s aim is to reduce the opportunity for crime and the fear of crime and create a safer and more secure environment where people want to live and work. The scheme aims to achieve a better quality of life by building in security at the earliest stage. Secured by Design is only awarded to a development when it has met a minimum standard of security and the layout of the development reduces the opportunity for crime. For example, the doors, locks and windows meet minimum quality and security standards and the development layout is well lit and thoughtfully designed.
Ecology; ecological value of the site, planting and landscaping
- It is better to build on land that a qualified ecologist has deemed of little value to the local species of plants and animals. The Birchway site has no important species of plants and animals and is a good place to build an eco-home.
- The existing site has been surveyed and we have noted all the natural and built features on the site and the land surrounding the site. We will work with the borough of Hillingdon's Planning Department to retain the important features.
- It is possible to make the site more attractive and environmentally friendly; we will appoint a qualified ecologist to recommend key ecological features we should adopt; for example what shrubs and trees we should plant that will encourage birds and other useful insects like butterflies.
- If we find an item of significant ecological or historical value (like a roman vase or coin) during construction on site, we will make sure the item is protected and that the site is checked for other important historical finds before continuing development.
More information on the Code for Sustainable Homes can be found in a leaflet produced by the Communities and Local Government department called Greener Homes for the Future - click here to view.
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