How was the list of questions in the Checklist drawn up?
- Where did the questions in the Checklist come from?
- Where did the section headings come from?
- Are the section headings different in each region?
- So how is the Checklist regionally specific?
- Can you compare sustainability performance between regions?
- Can you compare sustainability performance between local authorities?
Where did the questions in the Checklist come from?
Research into the constituent parts of a sustainable community has been on-going for many years. The national Sustainability Checklist for Developments (see Why have a Checklist? elsewhere in these FAQ’s) provided the starting point for the first Regional Checklist (Sustainability Checklist for Developments in the South East, SEEDA/BRE, 2003/4).
The question set was modified in the light of the Egan report (“Skills for Sustainable Communities”, 2004) and the OPDM’s “Sustainable Communities” work. It was further informed by national planning policy and good practice guidance such as the Environment Agency/CIBSE guidance on SUDs and the Urban Design Compendium (English Partnerships et al).
Where did the section headings come from?
Section headings were drawn up in consultation with the team working on the National Standards Framework for English Partnerships, CABE and the Housing Corporation. They cover the planning and land-use issues in both the Egan and ODPM definitions of a sustainable community. Climate Change was covered in a specific section because of the national importance of the issue.
Are the section headings different in each region?
No. This is to provide consistency across the regions. The only exception may be London because of the Mayor’s Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Guidance.
So how is the Checklist regionally specific?
The Checklist is designed as a tool to deliver national and regional policy. Although each regional Checklist is based on the same template to provide consistency, it is specifically tailored by the policies of each individual region. These include regional planning, sustainability, housing, environmental, economic, social and other policies.
The creation of each Regional Sustainability Checklist for Developments is controlled by a Steering Group made up of regional representatives.
Can you compare sustainability performance between regions?
We expect that many questions will be consistent in all regions, so it will be possible to compare performance on these issues. However the comparison may be indirect, looking at how far each region is performing on meeting its own standards on each issue as the minimum standards required may vary from region to region. It will be easy to see where requirements vary. (See also “Why have different regional sustainability checklists for development?” and “Why have modification at the local authority level?” elsewhere in these FAQ’s).