Gaining UK planning consents, particularly in the south-east, is particularly challenging to architects. We would like to identify any extant research pertaining to the way in which sustainable or green building rating systems address--or can address--the practical realities prevalent in gaining statutory planning, or 'zoning', consents. The notion of 'practical realities' refers to the difficulties that clients continually face in making sustainable design measures beyond building regulations stack up financially and practically in terms of gaining planning consents.
My modest contribution regards buildings pre-requisit to respond as much as possible to the targets of adaptive comfort and of the global sustainability and this can be done, firstly,as much as possible through the design and the construction (both aiming at excelling in terms of the .building energy sufficiency) having in mind the local climate and construction conditions.
Eduardo
Good morning Mr Kulczak
In direct response to your question, I am not aware of any research related to your question.
Although I am not aware of the particular difficulties that architects may experience in obtaining planning permission in the south-east of England, based on my professional experience this is more of a UK wide issue at present that likely stems from the disparity between the authorities ambitions and the reality on the ground influenced to a great extent by the austerity in general and in particular within the public sector. In this context I personally see the sustainability rating systems to be more of a hindrance that an help. To achieve a particular sustainability rating it not only adds to the construction costs, but also add to the design cost and time. Yet, I do not recall coming across publications that actually determine the 'payback period' of going up from a rating that can reasonably be achieved to a higher one that is more onerous, or even determine the 'payback period' for going for any rating at all. Whilst, I do not doubt the likely long term contribution of any environmentally rated building, I firmly believe to be more beneficial to go through a more widespread general improvements delivered by the Building Regulations than to seek BREEAM Excellent or similar from any building of 1000 sq.m. or more, or from any residential development of 10 or more dwellings, as it is often the case.
If required or desirable, subject to the economic viability test, the environmental ratings should be reserved for truly capital project with abundant resources, where the prestige of the future user is at stake or where market demands it and is prepared to pay for it.
With Best Wishes
Vladimir Ladinski
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