How does it relate to other tools?
Does the Checklist fit with Design Quality Indicators and other sustainability tools?
The Checklist is designed specifically for use within the Planning System. Therefore it is currently unable to address Building Control issues, some procurement issues, the construction process itself and the operation of the development once it is complete. Since the Checklist deals with planning issues, it is complementary to tools which address other parts of the construction process (Constructing Excellence benchmarking KPI's for the Construction process, the ICE Demolition Protocol for example). Some other tools, such as Sustainability Works, give a wider overview of sustainability in the construction process, although these not linked to regional planning policy.
Tools such as "Adapting to climate change - a checklist for development" and "Design Quality Indicators" provide useful additional depth on issues covered more generally within the Checklist. The Developer and Local Planning Authority may wish to consider their use where issues are of particular significance. We provide references to some of these tools elsewhere in the guidance.
Widely used tools and standards such as the Urban Design Compendium (English Partnerships) have been incorporated into the Checklist wherever possible and detailed sources of reference and guidance are signposted within the Checklist. We welcome suggestions for additional inclusions.
How are Ecohomes and BREEAM included in the Checklist, and how will the Code for Sustainable Homes fit in?
The Checklist is designed specifically for use in planning applications at the development level, rather than at the level of the individual building. However the performance of individual buildings makes a considerable contribution to the sustainability of the community, so a section entitled "Buildings" has been included in the Checklist. Rather than duplicate the main industry standard sustainability assessment tools for buildings (BREEAM and Ecohomes), we have simply enabled developers and local planning authorities to incorporate scores from these into the Buildings section of the Checklist. When the Code for Sustainable Homes is completed, this too will be incorporated into the same section.
There are two potential areas of overlap between BREEAM/Ecohomes and the Checklist - these are Transport and Ecology. We have tried to ensure that overlapping questions are consistent so that the Developer provides a single answer for both. Work is ongoing between BRE, ODPM and other partners to provide as smooth a link between the tools as possible and we welcome comments and suggestions on this issue.