Hunter's Moon from Dartington (© Lou Brown)

This Plan proposes that by 2014, SHDC takes a proactive position on the creation of low-carbon homes, pushing Government guidance as far as it can, and becoming a leader nationally in the creation of low-energy, affordable buildings. It does so via implementation of the Transition Zero Carbon Homes Code developed in conjunction with the Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders, approved in 2011, and enforced from the beginning of 2014. A Transition Zero Carbon Homes Code would be based on the following requirements:

• Meet the current highest standard for sustainable buildings (i.e. Passivhaus / exceeds level 6)
• Be designed so as to maximise natural lighting and solar space heating
• Eliminate toxic or highly-engineered materials and energy-intensive processes
• Be independent of fossil-fuel based heating systems
• Be designed for adaptability and dismantling: so as to allow the building to be subsequently adapted for a range of other uses
• Where appropriate, integrate working and living
• Ensure outdoor spaces are south facing with the minimum of overshadowing, so as to maximise the potential of the property/development to grow food
• Maximise grey water recycling and rain water capture
• Be built to address needs not speculation
• Adhere to good spatial planning to benefit communal interaction and shared open space
• Maximum use of locally produced materials: (defined as clay, straw, hemp, lime, timber, reed, stone)
• Maximum use of used and recycled building materials, particularly those on site
• The inclusion of water-permeable surfaces rather than hard paving, etc.

Transportation in Totnes in 2009 (© Lou Brown)

Leave a comment

If you wish to comment on a particular paragraph

and quote the relevant number in your comment.