BREEAM set to cover communities

BRE is developing a version of its environmental assessment standard that it hopes will persuade developers to look at sustainability across a community, rather than just the impact of individual buildings.

Under the new standard, developments that include more than one building will receive an overall rating that assesses their social and economic impact on an area, rather than just the environmental performance of the structures themselves.

It is hoped the standard will stimulate the use of community heating and power systems and lead developers to revise their mix of building types.

Called BREEAM Communities, the scheme is in the early stages of development, but its launch is planned for early next year.

The idea is that developers will opt to use it as a way of easing their projects though the planning process.

“We see it as a dialogue tool to get the developer and the planning authorities to sit down and discuss what the key issues are in an area,” says Ed Cotter, special projects manager at BRE. “They can then decide if they will follow through with the new certification.”

We see it as a tool to get developers and planners to discuss the key issues in an area

Ed Cotter, Bre

Unlike existing BREEAM tools, the assessment will take into account regional requirements. Cotter said: “For example, does the development meet the

criteria for employment stimulation? It’s about making sure development complements regional local planning requirements.”

It has not been decided whether the assessment will include existing buildings.

Like other BREEAM schemes it will use third parties to ensure developers deliver any commitments they make.