Planning for sustainability

Buildings are responsible for almost half of UK carbon emissions and about a quarter of all raw materials used in the economy. The environmental performance of the built environment needs to improve, and both the design and construction of new development and the retrofitting of sustainability measures to our existing building stock have key roles to play.

In 2021, East Herts adopted a Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in order to improve the environmental sustainability of new development, which includes a Sustainability Checklist for new developments. 

With regards to the retrofitting of sustainability measures to our existing building stock, East Herts has produced the following information to assist in consumer decision-making when purchasing and installing Heat Pumps and Solar Panels or Photovoltaics (PV). 

The Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership have developed the 'Retrofitting Your House Guide' for residents who are considering retrofit options for their homes. 

East Herts has formally endorsed the Hertfordshire Development Quality Charter as a material consideration in Development Management decision making. The Charter commits to six design and one sustainability pledge striving to achieving a new benchmark for sustainable development across Hertfordshire. The Charter can be found on the Hertfordshire Growth Board website.