DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste · 2019-04-15 · CONTENTS DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter

DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIESa guide to modern design in waste

Prepared by Enviros Consulting Limited on behalf of Defra.

This Document has been produced by Enviros Consulting Limited on behalfof Defra to provide guidance on design issues associated with the planningand development of waste management facilities. The Document has beendeveloped in good faith by the Advisors on behalf of Defra, and neitherDefra nor its Advisers shall incur any liability for any action or omissionarising out of any reliance being placed on the Document by any LocalAuthority, company, organisation or other person. Any person in receipt ofthis Document should take their own legal, financial and other relevantprofessional advice when considering what action (if any) to take in respectof any waste development initiative or design activity before placing anyreliance on anything contained therein.

Any interpretation of policy or guidance in this document is that of Envirosand not of Defra, DCLG or CABE.

Crown copyright, 2008.

No images or photographs within this document can be copied orreproduced without permission.

Cover images courtesy of Enviros Consulting, Islington Council and VeoliaEnvironmental Services (www.veolia.co.uk).

DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste

Written and researched by:

www.enviros.com

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste

www.cabe.org.uk

FOREWORD

‘We are committed to making a big effort to reducewaste and improve our recycling ability. To do thatBritain needs new infrastructure for the bettermanagement of waste. New infrastructure will only bebuilt if local communities are happy and this means thebest possible design must be applied to win that allimportant public endorsement. I hope this newguidance will help achieve that aim.’

Jane Kennedy Waste Minister

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CONTENTS


Chapter 1Introduction

1

Chapter 2Background & context

7

Chapter 3The design process

21

Chapter 4Stakeholders & their roles

37

Chapter 5Setting the design agenda

47

Chapter 6Core design

59

Chapter 7Design realisation

95

Chapter 8The final word

103

Reference and acknowledgements 106

Contents Page

Chapter 1: Introduction

What, why and how to use the guide

1DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste

Overview 3Who should use this design guide? 3A changing agenda and approach 3Scope 4Key drivers 5How to use the guide 6Structure 6

Contents

1INTRODUCTION

2 CHAPTER 1

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Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting, Islington Council, JCB Sales Ltd and Veolia Environmental Services (www.veolia.co.uk)

3INTRODUCTION

elsewhere. It cannot be used as a‘shopping list’ to achieve apastiche of a model facility orindeed a tick box way of achievinga successful planning outcome.Good design needs to be bespoke;tailored to the needs of each site,its setting, the specific demands ofthe project and the localenvironment. It is about much morethan whether facilities look good.Design embraces various themesincluding scale, mass, layout,materials, energy efficiency as wellas the more intangible aspects ofaesthetics and good place making.

Technology will also play a bigpart in decisions. Many authoritiesare looking to the future andexploring reductions in carbonemissions through combined heatand power (CHP), composting andanaerobic digestion (AD). Eachtechnology type may need adifferent design response. All willneed to respond appropriately tothe site and its context.

A changing agenda andapproach

Waste is now widely recognised asa resource to be exploited ratherthan as a problem to be solved.The infrastructure and buildingsdeveloped to realise the resourceand energy potential from wastewill often be at the heart of ourcommunities and not hidden away.In the past there has been heavyemphasis on the role of landfill inthe UK. However, as a result ofEuropean and national legislativedrivers to recover resources this ischanging.

Who should use thisdesign guide?

Whether you work for a wastemanagement company, a planningauthority, a waste disposalauthority or are a professionalengaged in the procurement ordevelopment of waste facilities thisguide is for you. This guide:

� outlines the key design principlesfor waste facilities

� references and signpostsrelevant existing designdocumentation

� explains how good design iscentral to the delivery processes,highlighting key designconsiderations, the stakeholdersinvolved and their respectiveroles.

The waste management industry islearning from good designpractice being applied successfullyin other development sectors andthere are many examples of gooddesign that the waste industry canalready be proud of. Research forthis guide included extensivediscussions with wastemanagement professionals,consultation with organisationsthat play a role in the procurementand delivery of new wastefacilities, a programme of wastefacility visits and a review of awide range of published designliterature. Much of the existingliterature has been produced fornon-waste industry audiences butmost aspects of good design arecommon to all development types.

Good design is not a simple caseof replicating approaches adopted


Overview

A revolution is underway in theway we deal with waste in theUK. What used to be seen as aproblem to be solved is nowseen as resources that can beexploited. Valuable resourcesthat previously would have gonestraight to landfill sites will bereprocessed and recycled orturned into energy in newfacilities at the heart of ourcommunities. The government’sWaste Strategy 2007 is leadingto investment in a large numberof new waste facilities and anenhanced profile for the industry.However, this radical newapproach to waste also demandsa revolution in attitudes to thedesign of those facilities. It isimportant that those engagedwith the development of wastefacilities embrace all aspects ofgood design practice.

This guide aims to promotebetter understanding of theimportance of design in thewaste sector and to help driveimproved standards.

Chapters 2 to 4 of thisdocument provide thebackground to the delivery ofwaste management facilities.Chapters 5, 6 and 7 set outways in which this may berealised.

4 CHAPTER 1

consider matters relating to costs,detailed technical specifications ofbuildings, or matters relating tobuilding regulations, andassociated requirements relatingto health and safety. Design issuesassociated with landfill sites havebeen well documented over manyyears and are also not consideredfurther in this guide.

There is an urgent need to recovermore value from our waste andthere are strong fiscal incentives todo so. A new era in the history ofwaste management in the UK isnow underway.

The only way that the requiredchange in approach will beachieved is through the delivery ofnew facilities using a range oftreatment techniques andtechnologies. Facilities will berequired at all scales, from civicamenity sites to energy from wasteplants. Many new facilities havealready been developed or arecurrently going through designand planning stages but the peakin new development is expectedbetween 2010 and 2015.

Scope

The guide specifically considers‘high level’ design issuesassociated with waste facilities thatrequire new planning permissions.These could be facilities thatcollect, recycle, transfer, treat orrecover energy from the waste.They may be single processfacilities or integrated facilitieswhere a number of treatment typeshave been grouped together inone building or on a strategic site.

It focuses on the non-functionalcomponents of waste facilities anddoes not address issues associatedwith technical or process relateddesign components, althoughclearly the interface between thetwo is critical. The guide does not

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‘Good design and layout in newdevelopment can help to secureopportunities for sustainablewaste management, includingfor kerbside collection andcommunity recycling as well asfor larger waste facilities.Planning authorities shouldensure that new developmentmakes sufficient provision forwaste management and promotedesigns and layouts that securethe integration of wastemanagement facilities withoutadverse impact on the streetscene or, in less developedareas, the local landscape.’

Planning Policy Statement 10;Planning for Sustainable

Waste Management (2005)paragraph 35

5INTRODUCTION

Key drivers

At present there are noauthoritative design guides forwaste facilities that can be used bypractitioners to guide thepromoters, professional designteams, sponsors and regulators.The requirement for good designis clearly set out in national,regional and local policy driversand this document will assist in theapplication of these principles.The key drivers are therefore:

� responding to the climatechange agenda

� meeting sustainable designexpectations

� formulating local planning policy

� applying design standards towaste procurement.

Waste practitioners currently drawinspiration from a wide range ofdisparate sources of advice ondesign. This document provides acentral reference point that willallow professionals involved in thedelivery of waste facilities to makebetter informed choices about thedesign of new developments.

As part of their forward planningresponsibilities some localauthorities have alreadyrecognised the need to producetheir own design guides, either asstand alone documents or assupplementary planningdocuments forming part of thelocal development framework.One of the aims of this guide is toprovide some consistency aboutbasic design principles and allowlocal authorities to concentrate on


Chapter 2 - Background & context� Where has the industry come from? � Where is it going? � Why do we need good design?

Chapter 3 - The design process� How do we deliver good design? � There are no set rules, design is an iterative

process, not just the end result.

Chapter 4 - Stakeholders & their roles� Who is involved in the design process? � How do they engage with this agenda?

Chapter 5 - Setting the design agenda� Where does the design process start? � The need for strategic vision to set expectations

and benchmarks.

Chapter 6 - Core design� How can good design be delivered? � What elements should be considered in the

design process?� How can you translate theory into practice?

Chapter 7 - Design realisation� Going from drawings to a working facility. � How is a proposed development delivered on

the ground?

Chapter 8 - The final word� Re-inforcing the messages

Document overview

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Islington Council

6 CHAPTER 1

How to use the guide

The guide is not presented as afixed, prescriptive set ofinstructions but as a description ofthe process by which a suitabledesign can be developed. It is aguide to the issues that should beconsidered, by whom and at whatpoint in the development cycle.Where appropriate, it highlightsspecific design aspects of facilities,but does not promote or endorseany particular plant or facility.

Structure

The guide aims to helppractitioners to access informationrelevant to their needs and role inthe design process. Key designprinciples and key actions relatingto specific topics, together withillustrations and photographs oflocal case studies, are providedthroughout the document. Sourcesof further information areidentified to enable users toundertake more detailed research.

The focus is on the key decision-making steps in the developmentof waste facilities and how designissues should be considered, fromthe selection of sites through tothe final design stages and post-development issues.

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local design issues relevant totheir particular areas. There is alsoa clear need to provide somecontext for considering designcredentials as part of waste facilityprocurement and how the designaspects of tenders are evaluated.

The private sector wantsconsistency in design expectationand clarity in understanding howproposals will be judged byregulators and clients. This guideshould help to fulfil this objective.

‘Good design ensures attractiveusable, durable and adaptableplaces and is a key element inachieving sustainabledevelopment. Good design isindivisible from good planning.

Planning authorities should planpositively for the achievement ofhigh quality and inclusive designfor all development, includingindividual buildings, public andprivate spaces and wider areadevelopment schemes. Gooddesign should contributepositively to making placesbetter for people. Design whichis inappropriate in its context, orwhich fails to take theopportunities available forimproving the character andquality of an area and the way itfunctions, should not beaccepted.’

Planning Policy Statement 1;Delivering Sustainable

Development (2005)paragraphs 33 and 34

Chapter 2: Background & context

Where we have come from & where we are going


Overview 9The evolution of waste infrastructure 9Drivers for increased investment 10Public perception and planning 15Signposting 18

Contents

7BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

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Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and RecycleNow



With the rise of consumerism andindividual wealth our possessionsbecame increasingly disposable. Insimple terms, everyone began todispose of more and more waste.This has had major implicationsfor the waste management industryand local authorities. However, thecost and acceptability of thetraditional disposal routes coupledwith increasing public awarenessof the environmental implicationsof the ‘throw away’ society has ledto a shift in waste treatmenttechniques. The wastemanagement industry hasresponded to this by developing arange of new facilities to recovermore value from the waste andrespond to legislative drivers.

The pressure and need to recyclehas gained increasing momentumin the past few years. Since thelate 20th century, industry hasevolved to move away from thetraditional landfill approaches.

The push to change our approachhas been reinforced by fiscalmeasures coupled to specificallymore targeted ‘green’ legislation,for example the landfill tax andthe landfill allowance tradingscheme (LATS).

The evolution of wasteinfrastructure

The nature of waste managementand its associated infrastructurehas changed markedly since thedays before the Public Health Actsand subsequent environmentallegislation. Originally there wasan unmanaged disposal route thatmeant waste was left lying in closeproximity to people’s houses,which led to a concern for publichealth. The next step was thatspecific areas for dumping wastewere defined on land away fromtowns and cities to remedy theproblems experienced in the midand latter parts of the 19thcentury.

In the UK, landfill has been themainstay of the wastemanagement industry. This is aconsequence of living in a countryrich in minerals that were minedor extracted for aggregate,building or industry which leftholes in the ground that neededinfilling. Landfill has traditionallybeen an acceptable route torestore quarry sites. Despiteextensive engineering forenvironmental protection the costof landfill remained relatively low.The UK has also used incineratorsto deal with a significant amountof its waste. The first destructor (asthey were originally known) wascommissioned in Nottingham asearly as 1874. However, therehave been fluctuations in thepopularity and use of thistreatment option because of publicperception and changinglegislation.

Overview

Good design is now a core partof government policy. Localauthorities are required toconsider design quality whendetermining all planningapplications. And thegovernment’s ‘Better PublicBuilding’ (2006) report demandsa dramatic improvement in thequality of the buildings procuredby all public sector bodies.

At the same time the UK wasteindustry is witnessing a paradigmshift from reliance on landfilldisposal facilities towardsinvestment in a range of treatmentoptions, including previously triedand tested solutions as well asnew and emerging technologies.This is resulting in a push towardsa greater number and variety offacilities. As a society we arebecoming increasingly aware ofthe environment that we live inand the impact that we have on itand it is widely recognised thatsustainable waste management isfundamental to this. We need toreduce the waste that we produceand wherever possible recover themost value from it. Theseprinciples have driven thelegislative changes to which theindustry and local authorities nowhave to respond.

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Climate change is something wemust all address. The developmentof waste facilities should be seenas a potential opportunity toreduce carbon emissions andauthorities’ carbon footprint. Newtechnologies incorporatingcombined heat and power arebecoming more prevalent, asauthorities explore solutions forreducing carbon emissions whenaddressing waste and tapping itspotential as a resource. To assistin this, the Environment Agencyhas developed WRATE (Waste andResources Assessment Tool for theEnvironment) to model technicalassumptions so that the impact ofa proposed facility in terms ofcarbon can be modelled prior totechnology selection and becomean integral part of facility designprior to construction.

Landfill will continue to be usedfor the disposal of treatmentresidues and some types ofresidual waste that cannot bedealt with in other ways, or wastethat has no intrinsic value, such ascertain types of inert waste.Existing landfill sites and mineralvoids should also be viewed as animportant long-term resource tobe used sparingly and for a smallrange of waste types only.

The design of waste facilities haspreviously been dominated byengineering and practicalsolutions. Clearly a facility has towork and be able to carry out itsfunction, but now the process ofdesign has a much broader remit.

We are moving to a point whereall sectors, including wastemanagement, have to demonstratethe way in which the designprocess has positively influencednew development proposals. Newfacilities should not only be asattractive and/or unobtrusive aspossible but should exemplify adeeper understanding ofsustainable design issues in theround.

The increasing importance of gooddesign is most evident when itcomes to large scale thermaltreatment plants. The design ofenergy from waste facilities, forexample, has gradually evolvedfrom relatively functional buildingslacking in design inspiration tomore distinctive design statements.

Drivers for increasedinvestment

There are a number of drivers forincorporating good designprinciples into the commissioningof waste facilities. EU legislationthat has been implementedthrough domestic legislation andguidance calls for higher levels oftreatment and more sophisticatedlevels of separation of the differentcategories of hazardous, non-hazardous and inert waste and isinfluencing the need for anincreased number and range ofwaste management facilities.



Construction of new wastemanagement facilities isfundamental to delivering thisstrategy. Other tools are appliedat a national level to assist in theimplementation of Waste Strategy2007, such as the landfillallowance trading scheme (LATS).

Defra’s Waste InfrastructureDelivery Programme (WIDP)published planning guidancedirected at the procurement ofnew waste facilities. This guidanceencourages a proactive approachto waste planning from strategicdecisions to the delivery offacilities on the ground. This wasfollowed by WIDP’s ‘PlanningHealth Framework’ which providesa means to evaluate the potentialstrategic and site specificopportunities and constraints tothe development of new wastefacilities. Authorities are stronglyencouraged to understand andproactively manage planning risks.

Planning legislation and guidance A range of planning legislationand guidance is directly relevant tothe delivery of new waste facilities.The planning system essentiallyprovides the land use frameworkwithin which new waste facilitiesshould be delivered. Forwardplanning (plan making) providesthe policy framework for definingwhat is required and where, whiledevelopment control evaluatesproposals against these policiesand other material planningconsiderations such as nationalplanning guidance. At national,regional and local levels there isstrategic guidance relating to

National legislation andguidance

Overarching legislation andguidance There is a host of legislation andguidance that relates to wastemanagement and the planningsystem in England and Wales.Waste Strategy 2007 sets out thegovernment’s vision forsustainable waste management inEngland. It establishes aframework and approach to wastestrategy, central to which ismoving waste management up thewaste hierarchy and meetingEuropean waste targets.

The core objectives of nationallegislation and strategy are to:

� decouple waste growth (in allsectors) from economic growthand put more emphasis onwaste prevention and re-use

� meet and exceed the LandfillDirective diversion targets forbiodegradable municipal wastein 2010, 2013 and 2020

� increase diversion from landfillof non-municipal waste andsecure better integration oftreatment for municipal andnon-municipal waste

� secure the investment ininfrastructure needed forincreased recovery of resourcesand for the management ofhazardous waste

� get the most environmentalbenefit from that investment,through increased recycling ofresources and recovery ofenergy from residual waste usinga mix of technologies.

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and can be a materialconsideration for planningapplications.

Good design is something that islikely to be critical to goodplanning decisions, but design isimportant for the whole of a wastemanagement project from theinitiation phase through to projectcompletion and the operation ofthe facility on the ground.

Planning for Sustainable WasteManagement: A Companion Guideto Planning Policy Statement 10(2006) builds on and reinforces theneed for good design in new wastefacilities. It states clearly thatsustainable waste management willbe best delivered through gooddesign in waste and non-wastedevelopments. It also refers tosome of the drivers and constraintsrequired to deliver good design. Inaddition, Planning Policy Statement:Planning and Climate Change -Supplement to Planning PolicyStatement 1 (2007) makes clearlinks between waste managementand the contribution that it canmake to sustainable development.

forward planning and developmentcontrol. Development control is theprimary tool for establishing how anew development is delivered.Environmental permitting alsoplays an important role in thisdelivery process and covers manyof the process-related issues.

The Planning and CompulsoryPurchase Act (2004) requires thatapplications for planningpermission must be accompaniedby a Design and AccessStatement, which sets out thedesign principles and conceptsthat have been applied to thedevelopment and incorporates astatement relating to access to thedevelopment and how any issueshave been dealt with. This isreinforced in Circular 01/06(Communities and LocalGovernment): Guidance onChanges to the DevelopmentControl System, which providesmore detailed advice on thepreparation of a Design andAccess Statement.

Planning Policy Statements (PPSs),and in some instances the olderplanning policy guidance notes(PPGs), provide guidance for newdevelopment at a national level.PPS1: Delivering SustainableDevelopment (2005) and PPS10:Planning for Sustainable WasteManagement (2005) are ofparticular relevance to this guide.PPS1 makes clear reference to theneed for the principles of gooddesign to be applied at a strategiclevel and for these to beembedded in relevant local policydocuments. National guidanceplays a pivotal role in plan making

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‘Waste management facilities inthemselves should be well-designed, so that they contributepositively to the character andquality of the area in which theyare located. Poor design is initself undesirable, underminescommunity acceptance of wastefacilities and should be rejected.’

Planning Policy Statement 10,Planning for Sustainable

Waste Management (2005) paragraph 35



Incorporating sustainabledevelopment in the design process Successful new developmentconstructed within a high qualitybuilt environment is dependent onthe concept of the ‘sustainablebuilding’. This can be defined asbuilding practices that strive forintegral quality (includingeconomic, social andenvironmental performance) in abroad way. Examples of thisapproach include: considering theresponsible use of naturalresources and appropriatemanagement of the building stockthat will contribute in the long-term to saving of scarce resources;reducing energy consumption; andimproving environmental quality.

A number of guiding principleshave been identified for achievingsustainable development. Keyprinciples for design in the wastesector are:

� resource efficiency – for examplein construction methods andmaterials

The Barker Review of Land UsePlanning (2006) also made directreference to the importance ofgood design, especially chapter 5,which was dedicated to ‘improvingthe quality of design of newdevelopment’.

‘Delivering a fundamentalchange in the design quality ofwaste management facilitiesrequires investment in designand appropriate design skillsbeing brought to bear at theright time. The planning systemhas a key role to play but thesuccess of new developmentdepends on the skills ofdesigners and the commitmentof those who employ them.’

Planning for Sustainable WasteManagement: A Companion

Guide to Planning PolicyStatement 10 (2006)

‘These improvements in qualityof service should not, however,mean less focus on wider qualityoutcomes. Good building designand urban open space areparamount for quality of life,efficient use of space andproductivity of working buildings.The planning system has a rolein securing high-qualitydesign…Design coding, designreview panels, designchampions and pre-applicationdiscussions are tools which theplanning system should use todeliver a high-quality builtenvironment.’

Barker Review of Land UsePlanning (2006) paragraph 24

‘Planning authorities, developersand other partners in theprovision of new developmentshould engage constructivelyand imaginatively to encouragethe delivery of sustainablebuildings.’

Planning Policy Statement:Planning and Climate Change -

Supplement to Planning PolicyStatement 1 (2007)

paragraph 30

The waste hierarchy seeks tominimise, reuse and recycle waste(in that order of priority) and canbe used as a basis for achievingthe objectives associated withsustainable building. Whendelivering new facilities it isappropriate to consider how theproposal fits with the hierarchyvia:

� the reduction of materialsneeded for construction throughthe design of simple low-technology structures and theuse of recycled materials wherepossible

� considerations to enable thebuilding to be easilydecommissioned or reused for anew purpose

� enabling the future recycling ofbuilding fabric for its compositematerials.

� energy efficiency, includinggreenhouse gas emissionsreduction

� pollution prevention, includingindoor air quality and noiseabatement

� harmonisation with theenvironment, includingenvironmental mitigation

� integrated and systemicapproaches, for example anenvironmental managementsystem.

Sustainable building involvesconsidering the entire life cycle ofbuildings, taking environmentaland functional qualities intoaccount. Good design issynonymous with sustainableconstruction: no new developmentcan be considered well designed ifit does not contribute toenvironmental, social andeconomic sustainability.

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Living Within EnvironmentalLimits

Respecting the limits of the planet’senvironment, resources and biodiversity -to improve our environment and ensurethat the natural resources needed for lifeare unimpaired and remain so for future

generations.

Ensuring a Strong, Healthyand Just Society

Meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities,

promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity

for all.

Using Sound SocialResponsibility

Ensuring policy is developed andimplemented on the basis of

strong scientific evidence, whilsttaking into account scientific

uncertainty (through theprecautionary principle) as well as

public attitudes and values.

PromotingGood Governance

Actively promotingeffective, participativesystems of governance in all levels of society -

engaging people’screativity, energy

and diversity.

Achieving aSustainable Economy

Building a strong, stable andsustainable economy which

provides prosperity andopportunities for all, and in whichenvironmental and social costs fall

on those who impose them(polluter pays), and efficientresource use is incentivised.

Shared UK principles of sustainable development

www.sustainable-development.gov.uk



certification organisation that aimsto deliver sustainable developmentand innovation throughout thebuilt environment, has developeda range of assessment methodscalled the BRE environmentalassessment method (BREEAM).These are designed to helpconstruction professionalsunderstand and mitigate theenvironmental impacts of thedevelopments they design andbuild.

The Building Regulations representan additional tool for aiding theimplementation of sustainabledevelopment and need to beconsidered early in the designprocess. The 2006 regulationsrequire an improvement in energyor carbon performance of abuilding over that required in2002.

Public perception andplanning

Public perception of the wastemanagement industry and specificplants is of critical importancewhen delivering new wasteinfrastructure. It is important thatthe local authority and/or thedeveloper engage with localcommunities and stakeholdersbefore and after submitting aplanning application. The factsneed to be presented carefully, as abad reaction to a new developmentcan undermine a proposal, lead toa more protracted planning processand sometimes to planning failure.The local community have ameaningful role to play in theevolution of design proposals. Evennow, waste development can be

About half of the UK’s carbonemissions arise from the builtenvironment and the resultantclimate change impactdemonstrates how design andsustainability are intrinsicallylinked. Modern constructionmethods mean that buildings aredesigned to have longer life spansand therefore differentenvironmental issues may apply.‘Carbon inefficient’ buildingsconsume more conventionalenergy sources for heating andcooling, have a high amount ofassociated hardware and systemsand therefore cost more than low-carbon buildings to run, maintainand refurbish.

Research has also shown thatenvironmentally friendly buildingsare more pleasant workingenvironments and encourage highproductivity among staff and userswithin them. In other words, thedesign of buildings has anenvironmental, economic andsocial impact influencing allaspects of sustainability.

Sustainable design generallyencompasses a building and itssurroundings including landscapeplanting, roads and footpaths. TheBRE (Building ResearchEstablishment) Trust, a research,consultancy, training, testing and

Images courtesy of Enviros Consultingand PPS

‘....the financial benefits ofgreen buildings areapproximately ten times largerthan the average additional costof building them.’

The Costs and Financial Benefitsof Green Buildings (2003)

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The primary route for opinions tobe raised by the public on newwaste development is through theplanning system and media.Consultation and transparency inthe forward planning anddevelopment control stages allowsthe local community to voice theiropinions on development plans aswell as being able to comment onspecific proposals in a planningapplication.

viewed as a bad neighbour andwell-designed new facilities providean opportunity to change theperception of a specificdevelopment and the waste industryas a whole. Experience fromEurope and increasingly in the UKshows that waste facilities can beembraced by the communities thatthey serve, particularly when theyunderstand the benefits that theydeliver.

Conflicts surrounding publicperception and wastemanagement facilities stem in partfrom the fact that traditionally theywere constructed with purefunction in mind and wereregarded as low qualitydevelopments with limited regardfor their integration within thelocal setting. There have alsobeen some well documentedexamples of bad managementpractices at waste facilities leadingto environmental impacts andconcerns over possible healtheffects. The design of new facilitieshas a pivotal role in changing theperception of specific developmentand the industry as a whole.

‘The delivery of the Marchwoodenergy recovery facility involvedextensive consultation with thelocal community includingdiscussion about the designsolution. The process hasencouraged local ownership ofthe facility.’

Richard ReadHead of Planning

Hampshire County Council



Content and structure of strategy for sustainable construction

Strategy for sustainable construction (2008)

Image courtesy of Enviros Consulting

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Signposting

There is a diverse range of guidance and references that relate to thedesign of built development. This guide has been prepared with referenceto numerous publications, which are set out in detail at the end of thisdocument. Some of the core references are signposted below. This guidehas been prepared to complement these references and should be read inconjunction with them.

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By Design- urban design in the planning system: towards betterpractice (DETR and CABE, 2000)Provides advice on implementing the Government`s commitment togood design and encourages those who influence and shapedevelopment decisions to think carefully about the living environmentsbeing created. It puts across that good design is important in allcontexts. It also highlights the role that the planning process can playin driving good design.

Urban Design Compendium (Llewelyn-Davies, 2007)The Urban Design Compendium provides guidance on good urbandesign. It covers the principles of urban design, how they can beapplied and the processes which lead to successful places. As well asguidance the Compendium also incorporates case studies explaininghow these principles could be applied in practice.

Better Public Building (CABE, 2006)This document provides arguments and the evidence demonstratingthat good design makes places work better. It provides practicaladvice for creating new public building that is value for money,sustainable and a source of civic pride. Better Public Buildings alsosets out the steps that public bodies need to follow if they are toensure that all those who use public services benefit from gooddesign.

Improving Standards of Design in the Procurement of Public Buildings(CABE and OGC, 2002)Prepared to communicate the steps required to ensure furtherimprovement in the design quality of public sector building andinfrastructure projects. The document presents a number ofrecommendations that reinforce Government Policy.

Creating Excellent Buildings A Guide for Clients (CABE, 2003)Provides a thorough guide to commissioning and delivering abuilding project successfully. It passes on the lessons learnt byCABE's enabling programme to those about to embark on aconstruction project for the first time. The document is divided intothe four main stages of a building project – preparation, design,construction and use of the building.



Making Design Policy Work: How to Deliver Good Design throughyour Local Development Framework (CABE, 2005)This document sets out five fundamental factors for good localdesign policies. It explains where different types of policy can fit intothe different local development plan documents, and suggests keyobjectives for a range of design policies from landscaping toarchitecture.

Getting Good Value from Construction Projects Through Design(NAO, 2004)This document has been prepared to provide auditors with anunderstanding of the value of good design in construction, and afirm basis for examining whether good design has been achieved ina particular project. It is primarily intended to guide internal andexternal auditors to making sound judgements when auditing publicsector construction projects.

Design and Access Statements: How to Write, Read and Use Them(CABE, 2006)This short guide provides information regarding how to write andread Design and Access Statements. It accompanies theGovernment circular ‘Guidance on Changes to the DevelopmentControl System’ and provides practical advice on getting the bestfrom statements to help deliver well-designed, inclusive places.

Green Guide to Specification (Jane Anderson, David Shiers andMike Sinclair, BRE, 2002)The Green Guide to Specification is a document that providesguidance for people involved in building specification and design. Itdescribes the relative environmental impacts of a wide range ofconstruction materials and components.

Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement Guide 11;Sustainability (OGC, 2007)This guide highlights the importance of sustainable development inconstruction projects throughout the decision making/deliveryprocess. It sets out the processes by which construction projects canbe procured and delivered by the public sector, while promotingsustainable development and achieving optimum whole life value formoney.

Image courtesy of Enviros Consulting

Chapter 3: The design process

Driving & delivering new developments


Overview 23What is a good design? 23The design process 26Consultation and stakeholder engagement 36Contecting the design process and procurement 36The value of good design 36

Contents

21THE DESIGN PROCESS

22 CHAPTER 3

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Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Veolia Environmental Services (www.veolia.co.uk)


‘Good design can be summarised asa mix of the following attributes:

i. functionality in use: is the buildingfit for purpose, or even better,does it use know-how andinnovation to provide business andsocial value? Does it optimise theoperational cost of core servicesand, in particular, the productivityof staff?

ii. build quality: is the building builton whole life cost principles – builtto last and easy to maintain?

iii. efficiency and sustainability: is thebuilding designed in a way that itwill be completed on (or before)time, to budget and tospecification? Is the buildingenvironmentally efficient, in termsof where it is located, how it hasbeen constructed and how it willbe used?

iv. designing in context: is thebuilding respectful of its context,strengthening the identity of theneighbourhood in its landscape?The government’s guidance onurban and rural design, By Design,states that any new developmentshould accord with the followingprinciples – character, continuityand enclosure, quality of publicspace, ease of movement,legibility, adaptability and, whereappropriate, diversity of use.

v. aesthetic quality: the procurer mayhave architectural requirementsthat will form an essential elementof the design process. These couldinclude the need for distinguishedarchitecture, or the need for abuilding to harmonise with otherexisting buildings.’

Improving Standards of Design in the Procurement of Public

Buildings (2002)

What is a good design?

Design is more than just the waysomething looks or whether itworks, and cannot be achievedsimply by following a prescriptiveapproach. It is a process thatshould be a defining part of anyproject. It will often be an iterativeprocess and will evolve as theproject develops. Good design alsoneeds to be forward looking andable to respond to future policyand regulatory requirements.

Just as with any constructionproject, a waste managementfacility will need to ensure it offersthe right balance in terms ofquality, time and cost.

Quality must be considered notonly in terms of the immediatefunctional needs of a waste facilitybut in terms of wider designissues, such as:

� will it harmonise with thesetting?

� is the facility fit for purpose?� can the site accommodate the

proposed use? � does it minimise the use of

resources?� will the building be flexible/

adaptable? � is there suitable access?

Time refers to the need to meetappropriate timescales in terms ofgetting the facility financed,permitted, designed, built, fittedout and ready for service. Oftenthe project will need to bedelivered to meet time-relatedfiscal pressures such as the landfilltax escalator.


Overview

Good design draws together anumber of different themes,disciplines and stakeholders andintegrates them to realise aneffective and well-executeddevelopment. Approaching designas a considered process shouldresult in a quality outcome. Withwaste facilities, as with any otherdevelopment, good design shouldbe a core part of the project plan.

Demonstrating that resources arebeing invested wisely is at thecore of both public and privatesector accountability. A systematicapproach to achieving a gooddesign outcome must be centralto any project plan and this iscritical in promoting a positiveimage for waste management.The design process starts withpolicy and strategy development,gathers pace through the coredesign and planning stages andcontinues through constructionand operation. It can be a lengthyand iterative process involvingmany individuals bringing differentskills and perspectives. Howeverthe process is managed and led,those involved should alwayscome back to certain coreprinciples centred onsustainability, the quality of placesand how the developmentcontributes to the localcommunity.

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The time to gain permission for awaste facility is likely to beconsiderable compared to otherbuilding projects because of theneed for greater consideration ofenvironmental impacts, and forcommunity engagement. The startof a project is when most can bedone to add value through carefulpreparation and adequate time fordesign.

Cost covers the construction,materials and all related expensesincluding operational costs. Thecost of planning, and securing theinput of professional advisors canalso be significant.

There are three principal phases inthe design of a waste facility,which can be simply broken downinto prepare, design andconstruct. There is a degree ofoverlap between these phases andit is at the start of the project thatmost can be done to add valuethrough careful preparation andadequate time for design. Th

e de

sign

pro

cess

‘It is now widely accepted across localgovernment that good design inbuildings and public spaces bothenhances existing high quality builtenvironments and contributes to theregeneration of run-down areas. Thesesocial and economic benefits comefrom an integrated approach to thebuilt environment, which values bothheritage and new development, andrecognises how the two can bestcomplement each other.’

Local Authority Design Champions: an Introduction (2004)

Opportunity to increase value

Importance of design

The quality of cities, towns, villagesand the urban and rural landscapeare important in defining a nationand its culture. The design of newwaste facilities should beconsidered in that context. Wastemanagement practitioners need topay careful attention to the localsetting when devising designsolutions for waste facilities. Thespaces between buildings are oftenas important to a sense of place asthe buildings themselves.

Opportunity to increase

value before the costs

of change rise too high

Prepare Design Construct

Valu

e

Cost

As time passes it is harder to change things without incurring great cost

Creating Excellent Buildings: A Guide for Clients (2003)



Design progression from concept to modelImages courtesy of Studio E Architects

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It is important that new wastefacilities are adaptable.Circumstances and technologiesare continually evolving andmaterials previously considered tobe unrecycleable can now be putto beneficial uses. Waste facilitiesare typically built for long-termuse and adaptability may becrucial to their sustained use.

The design process

The design process is not a fixed,prescriptive set of rules, but shouldflow with the natural developmentof a project, from the identificationof a need through to the delivery ofthe final development. The basicdesign process is applicable to allscales of development but theimportance and level of detail willvary with scale. It should not beviewed as a simple linear process,but as an iterative one with variousstages that inform the finalsolution.

The process in outline is relativelysimple; a need is defined, which isthen worked up in increasinglevels of detail until a proposeddevelopment can be constructedon the ground. The stages of workset out by the Royal Institute ofBritish Architects (RIBA) provide auseful overview for delivering anew waste facility. These stagesare concerned with the mechanicsof designing a new developmentand focus on site specific aspects.They should be used to provide astrategic context for the design ofnew waste developments.

A strong body of evidence on whatconstitutes urban quality alreadyexists. This can be applied towaste facilities in the same way asto other developments. Therelationships between differentcomponents of a building asdescribed by its design aresignificant to the quality andsustainability of buildings as wellas to the welfare of its users.

Informed choices that are basedon the principles of sustainabledesign will help to fulfil widerobjectives set out in WasteStrategy 2007, PPS 10 (2005) andSecuring the Future (2005).Embracing concepts such assustainable consumption andproduction or sustainable productsand materials will help to achieveeffective waste management.Sustainable design will need along-term perspective and adegree of vision to justify theadditional outlay that may beincurred initially.

Good design is not just aboutappearance or linking a buildingwith the surroundings. It alsomakes sound economic sense by:

� increasing the flexible use andadaptation of a property

� reducing the whole-life cyclecosts and environmental impactsof a project

� maximising the value of abuilding

� minimising the waste producedby the construction process

� minimising maintenance andupgrading costs

� maximising the longevity of adevelopment.



Stra

tegi

cel

emen

ts Identification of facility need

Site selection

Prep

arat

ion

Appraisal

Design brief

� Identifying a market/local need� Defining facility types� Synergies with other

developments� Defining strategic locations� Selecting suitable sites� Assessing sites� Defining constraints� Setting out requirements and

expectations

Des

ign

Concept

Design development

Technical design

� Thorough site analysis� Considering context� Site layout� Relationship with place� Identifying materials� Designing for quality� Adaptability and flexibility

Pre-

cons

truct

ion Production information

Tender documentation

Tender action

� Preparation and productionof detailed information

� Bid evaluation� Defining indicators of quality

design in procurement� Minimal design change� Building on the ground� Adapting design to respond

to conditions� Maintaining quality� Positive perception

Con

stru

ctio

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Mobilisation

Construction to practicalcompletion

Use Post practical completion

Adapted from RIBA Outline Plan of Work (2007)

Stage 1 : Setting the design agenda

Stage 2 : Core design

Stage 3 : Design realisation and operation

Images courtesy of Enviros Consultingand Defra

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Proposals for industrial andcommercial waste facilities willfollow a similar decision process.While some of the drivers aredifferent, there are many commonthemes. All facilities have to beeconomically viable and a strongbusiness case will need to beprepared. The identification ofneed and location are comparablewith private sector developments,although it is acknowledged thatsome of the initial drivers mayvary.

Site selectionSite selection is a core part of theprocess for delivering a new wastefacility. Planning Policy Statement10: Planning for Sustainable WasteManagement (2005) says planningauthorities should identify sites

‘Five fundamental factors for betterdesign policies

1 embed design concerns across thenew local development frameworkpolicy hierarchy and beyond to thecommunity strategy

2 treat design as a cross-cutting issuewhich infuses all other policy areas

3 base design policies on an in-depthunderstanding of local context andthe design process

4 recognise that design is importantbeyond the scale of individual sitesand can help establish localdevelopment framework objectivesat different spatial levels

5 ensure design policy addressessocial and sustainable as well asvisual and functional concerns.’

Making design policy work: how to deliver good design

through your local developmentframework (2005)

There are several key steps in theprocess of arriving at a solutionfor a site, each with a greater orlesser emphasis on design.

Stage 1 : Setting the designagenda

Identification of needThe need for waste facilities andthe choice of technology is oftendefined at a strategic level. Theneed will have been consideredwithin the regional and localcontext in waste managementstrategies and forward planningpolicies. The waste strategy willprovide the context for what isrequired to serve the needs of thelocal community. At this stage inthe process questions of what andwhere may not be relevant, but it isthe place to set the tone in termsof design philosophy and qualityexpectations. Consideration ofdesign should be factored intothese early debates to ensure newproposals meet strategicrequirements.

Various questions will be raised atthis stage in the process: what isthe most appropriate type offacility? What type of technologywill be appropriate? What scale offacility will be required? How willmaterials be transported to andfrom it? What sites are availableand appropriate for this type ofdevelopment?

It is clear that important designconsiderations are fundamental tothese questions and will enableeffective integration of a newwaste facility into a given context.



Images courtesy of EGW, VeoliaEnvironmental Services (www.veolia.co.uk)and Enviros Consulting

‘In their consideration of the environmental performance of proposeddevelopment, taking particular account of the climate the development islikely to experience over its expected lifetime, planning authorities shouldexpect new development to:

� comply with adopted DPD (Development Plan Document) policies onlocal requirements for decentralised energy supply and for sustainablebuildings, unless it can be demonstrated by the applicant, havingregard to the type of development involved and its design, that this isnot feasible or viable

� take account of landform, layout, building orientation, massing andlandscaping to minimise energy consumption, including maximisingcooling and avoiding solar gain in the summer; and, overall, beplanned so as to minimise carbon dioxide emissions through givingcareful consideration to how all aspects of development form, togetherwith the proposed density and mix of development, supportopportunities for decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energysupply

� deliver a high quality local environment

� provide public and private open space as appropriate so that it offersaccessible choice of shade and shelter, recognising the opportunitiesfor flood storage, wildlife and people provided by multifunctionalgreen spaces

� give priority to the use of sustainable drainage systems, payingattention to the potential contribution to be gained to water harvestingfrom impermeable surfaces and encourage layouts that accommodatewaste water recycling

� provide for sustainable waste management

� create and secure opportunities for sustainable transport in line withPPG13 including through:

- the preparation and submission of travel plans

- providing for safe and attractive walking and cycling opportunitiesincluding, where appropriate, secure cycle parking and changingfacilities

- an appropriate approach to the provision and management of carparking.’

Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change, Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (2007) paragraph 42

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Project scope and analysis This stage in the process involvesa review of a client’s needs andobjectives. Various feasibilitystudies may be required at thisstage to analyse specific siteconstraints and opportunities. On-site and off-site constraints andopportunities should be identified.The character and setting of a siteshould also be considered.

Studies may be undertaken inparallel at this stage to evaluatedifferent dimensions of a potentialdevelopment. Work may includedetailed evaluation of theproposed strategy and businesscase and may also include theevaluation of certain siteconstraints, for example trafficflows and potential site accessarrangements. Such appraisalsmay also consider related off-siteissues such as potential combinedheat and power synergiesassociated with some wastemanagement technologies.

It is important to consider designflexibility at this stage to allow forfuture changes in waste processingtechniques, regulatory reform etc.

Design brief The design brief is an importantdocument that expressesrequirements and expectations. Itwill be prepared by the client forthe designer and will communicatewhat needs to be delivered on asite, the potential constraints andthe likely means of delivery. It canalso be used as part of aprocurement project in tenderspecification and evaluation.

and areas in their developmentplan documents that are suitablefor new or enhanced wastemanagement facilities that willmeet the waste managementneeds of their areas. Elements thatneed to be evaluated include therelationship with waste arisings,the site area required, siteavailability and site context. Goodsite selection is fundamental andmany design considerations stemfrom this core decision.

As well as the strategic andpractical decisions around siteselection, there are also designand environmental considerationsthat need to influence the choice.The relevant issues vary greatlywith scale and specific operationalrequirements but, as with all typesof development, wastemanagement facilities need to belocated sensitively. They need toconsider the reaction of the localcommunity and variousenvironmental considerations suchas ecological designations.Environmental constraints mayinform the site selection process,or have a big influence on thedesign solution, particularly on keyelements such as layout,orientation and even the height ofcertain structures.

The approach to site selection mayvary. There is no prescriptiveapproach to this butmethodologies should have anumber of common themes interms of selection criteria. It isimportant that the strategies andplans set out clear objectives interms of design quality andrequirements.



STAGE 1 : SETTING THE DESIGN AGENDA

KEY ACTIONS

� define the project needs/challenges� identify potential locations/sites� identify potential technologies/treatments� consider funding mechanism� assemble project team� identify overall project manager� set aims and objectives� define strategy and programme� collate available data� undertake site analysis and appraisals - planning policy, character,

environmental issues, engineering/ground conditions� meet and discuss with local stakeholders� consider service provision

establish design principles and visions for site� define criteria.

DELIVERABLES AND RELATED PROCESSES

� plan and strategy preparation� develop business case� procurement initiation� develop brief� define objectives� feasibility studies� contextual analysis.

� site location and area/footprintfor development

� description of the proposeddevelopment including anyspecific operationalrequirements

� access to the site (duringconstruction and operation)

� availability of services� any constraints identified such as

services and environmentalconstraints such as flooding

� the timeframe and budget fordelivery

� details of any relevantconsultation, for example withthe local planning authority.

A Client Design Advisor (CDA)may be appointed to assist in thedevelopment of a brief. A CDA isusually an architect (but not theone designing the building) sittingon the client’s side of a project,independent of the supply team,monitoring and helping tomanage the design process fromits earliest stages. A design briefmay include:

� the overall objectives for thedevelopment

� work already undertaken - how/why the site has been selected;

� any specific design objectives orcriteria

Image courtesy of Biffa Waste Services

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Stage 2 : Core design

Concept Once a site has been selected,there are various design challengesthat have to be considered. Thesuccessful integration of the newdevelopment must be a keyobjective. Key questions includehow a proposed developmentwould relate to its surroundingsand what type and scale ofdevelopment would be appropriate.

The design concept should beginwith a thorough analysis of a siteand its context. This may overlapwith elements of work undertakenduring the appraisal stage. Anunderstanding of context isfundamental to arriving at asolution that respects the existingurban or rural character and grain.

There is no single design solutionfor a given site. Creativity,subjectivity and interpretation meandifferent project teams will arrive atdifferent solutions. However, thesolution arrived at must be justifiedand explained.

The design solution The detailed design will require adecision to identify a preferencefor one design concept and thisstage in the process will refine anddevelop this. Detailed analysis ofthe technical and logisticalrequirements of the site will needto be considered and finalised.

Issues such as the choice ofconstruction materials will alsohave important implications interms of noise, odour and visual

impacts. If it has not alreadyhappened this will be the point atwhich plans for the site will bepublished as part of theconsultation process prior to theplanning application. If the projectinvolves a large structure there islikely to be considerable localinterest and it may be worthwhileemploying a communications/PRconsultancy or manager to carryout the engagement process.

Once a design solution for a sitehas been arrived at this should bereviewed by the project team toensure that the original designobjectives have been achieved.

At this stage it may be beneficialto obtain expert advice fromexternal sources. The Commissionfor Architecture and the BuiltEnvironment (CABE) is agovernment-funded, nationalorganisation with a remit tochampion high standards ofdesign in the built environment inEngland. Similar organisationswith comparable objectives alsoexist in Wales and Scotland(Design Commission for Walesand the Royal Fine ArtCommission for Scotland).

For major projects CABE offer adesign review service whichprovides expert advice on thedesign of schemes in England thatmay have a significant impact ontheir environment. It reviewsschemes which are significantbecause of their size, use, site,impact on local planning policy orpotential to set a precedent.CABE encourages consultation atthe earliest possible opportunity,



ideally before a planningapplication has been submitted.Advice given before the planningapplication is submitted isconfidential. For furtherinformation refer to the CABEwebsite.

Delivering quality It should be noted at the outsetthat there is never a single designresponse. Design needs to relateto context and there will always bea range of potential solutions. Theevaluation of design quality isprobably as subjective as thedesign itself. It is primarily relatedto three attributes: impact, buildquality and function.

In terms of impact, a designsolution should respect localcharacter and context. It should beassimilated into its setting and usematerials appropriate to its context.As an integral part of this, theimpact on the environment shouldbe minimised in terms of factorssuch as noise impact and flooding.

Build quality relates to thestructural integrity of thedevelopment, its fixtures, fittingsand finishes. It covers the whole-life cost of the building. Is itdesigned and built to last? Is iteasy to maintain? Will it beadaptable/flexible? Will it(eventually) be easy to dismantle?Attention to detail is a keycomponent in delivering quality.The individual components of abuilding should be consideredboth in isolation and in relation tothe development as a whole.

Function is clearly a core part ofany proposal for a wastemanagement facility. A newdevelopment must be fit forpurpose. Due to the type ofoperations taking place, healthand safety considerations must betaken into account. If there is apublic interface at a facility, safetyrequirements are heightenedfurther. The scale and number ofvehicles visiting a facility meangood layout and access will beessential.

The ability to evaluate the designof new waste facilities isfundamental to the process andneeds to recognise the way inwhich waste management facilitiesfunction. Evaluation should beopen and integral throughout thedelivery of new facilities, fromsetting out the initial brief to thecompleted building.

Design and planning Achieving a successful planningoutcome is obviously fundamental.Design information and the keydesign messages need to becommunicated as an integral partof the planning applicationsubmission process. Theapplication is invariably made upof different components:

� planning application form

� required drawings

� planning support statement

� environmental statement

� design and access statement.

Images courtesy of EGW and EnvirosConsulting

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requirements, together withrecommendations on how localauthorities can extend this.Planning application requirementsmay influence the design of aproposed development, or at leastthe information provided with theplanning application.

The Design and Access Statementshould explain the design thinkingbehind a proposed development. Itshould demonstrate how adevelopment has been designed toaccommodate people’s needs aswell as justifying elements such asbuilding layout, form, scale etc.The EIA process (if required)should be integral to the designprocess, allowing the design toevolve, and incorporateappropriate measures to mitigatepotential adverse impacts.

There will invariably be a need tosupport the application withfurther reports and analyses. Thesewill typically be discussed at lengthas part of screening and scopingexercises and may vary from theanalysis of specific topics (such astraffic, noise, air quality, flood risketc) to preparation of a fullenvironmental statement inaccordance with the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA)Regulations.

The Department for Communitiesand Local Government (CLG) haspublished guidance on thevalidation of planning applications(The Validation of PlanningApplications: Guidance for localplanning authorities (2007)). Thisdocument contains the national listof planning application

STAGE 2 : CORE DESIGN

KEY ACTIONS

� prepare and evaluate design options � outline development form � undertake relevant assessments, for example environmental impacts � define and justify solution � identify means for delivery � continue local consultation � identify priorities � develop delivery programme � refine masterplan and building design.


� design options � detailed masterplan for site and building(s) � delivery programme and mechanism � environmental impact assessment � design and access statement � planning application documents � link with Environmental Permitting.



Stage 3 : Design realisationand operationDuring the construction phasesome minor amendments may berequired to adapt the detaileddesign to site constraints andaccommodate changes in theinternal technical specification. Ifthe outline and detailed designphases have been effectivelyimplemented these changes shouldbe minimised. Any major changesto the footprint, height or detail ofthe building should be avoided.All conditions attached to theplanning permission must also beadhered to. Section 106agreements can also be used to

provide planning gain relevant todesign. These are legally bindingand not subject to appeal.

Long-term management,maintenance anddecommissioning should beimportant considerations in thedesign process. It is useful to keepa record of feedback on thedesign quality of the facility tohelp guide future decision making.Considering the long-termmanagement of the facility duringthe design stage will help toreduce overall project cost andresultant long-term potentialimpacts on the environment.

STAGE 3 : DESIGN REALISATION AND OPERATION

KEY ACTIONS

� confirm arrangements for implementation � adopt plans and designs � develop delivery programme � refine masterplan and building design � maintain local engagement with stakeholders � building maintenance � maintain clean and tidy site � educate and inform � review facility performance.


� completed development � meeting planning conditions� sustainable environmental management plan� ongoing monitoring.

Creating Excellent Buildings(2003)

Key:

Added value

Excellence

Quality

Time Cost

The best designs are strong in all these

areas

Functionality Build Quality

Impact

Balancing time, quality andcost is key to getting the

most out of a development

Design Quality Indicators;overlapping quality fields

Design Quality Indicator Online

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design and their appreciation ofsite constraints and opportunities.It is critical that the procurementprocess does not ignore designgiven its significance to theplanning process. Without gooddesign there may not be a project.

The value of good design

Proposing a high-quality solutionmay reduce planning risk, which inturn may reduce some of theassociated up-front costs. It isimportant to recognise thatachieving good design has severalintangible benefits relating to thecontribution to sense of place,ownership and perception.

Whilst it is difficult to quantify thepositives and negatives of gooddesign, it is easier to relate the costof design to the delivery process.The earlier design is incorporatedin the delivery process the morecost effective it is and the greaterthe benefits become.

Consultation andstakeholder engagement

The design process draws togethera range of skills and disciplines toarrive at the desired solution. Agood design solution will also havebeen informed by inputs fromstakeholders integrated within thedesign process. Only by taking thisapproach can aspirations andlimitations be effectivelyincorporated into the final solution.

Connecting the designprocess with procurement

It is important to recognise howthe design process relates to thedelivery of new waste facilities.Whether financed or developedpublicly or privately there areseveral consistent stages:

� establish need� develop business case� define and design the solution � implement proposals.

The procurement of a wastefacility may come before or afterthe site-specific design stage, butit is important that the proposalsfor a given site relate to themeans of securing finance. Awaste management company orlocal authority will have toconsider the logistics ofconstruction of a new wastefacility. At this stage designaspirations should be clearly setout and included within the projectbrief alongside cost and deliverytargets. It may also be appropriateto include specific design criteriaas part of the bid evaluationprocess to test bidders’ ability todeliver the required quality of

‘Good design, layout and aesthetictreatment are essential when deliveringwaste infrastructure projects. This notonly facilitates community acceptanceof such projects, but maximises wastemanagement opportunities for the site.’

Waste Infrastructure Delivery ProgrammePlanning Systems Guidance (2007)

‘Good design may initially cost a littlemore in time and thought, althoughnot necessarily in money. But the endresult is more pleasing to the eye andmore efficient, costs less to maintainand is kinder to the environment.’

Hansard – Lord Rea, House of Lords29 January 2003

Chapter 4: Stakeholders & their roles

Who’s involved - where and why


Overview 39Who are the stakeholders? 39Linking stakeholders with the design process 44Opportunities for stakeholder involvement 46

Contents

37STAKEHOLDERS & THEIR ROLES

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Images courtesy of Islington Council, Enviros Consulting and RecycleNow


‘The ultimate aim is not only to buildgood buildings, but also to ensure thatthe right buildings are built to meet therequirements of all stakeholders,particularly the end users.’

Getting Value for Money fromConstruction Projects Through

Design (2004)

Who are thestakeholders?

The term stakeholder in this reportrefers to anyone (individual,organisation or business) who hasan interest in or influence on thedesign, construction and operationof waste management facilities.

The waste sector is complex. It hasbeen evolving very quickly overrecent years to respond to thechanging demands associated withthe requirements of Waste Strategy2007. Although statutoryresponsibility for this change inmunicipal waste managementoften rests with public sectorservice providers, delivery iscommonly achieved throughpublic-private partnership. Privatesector companies are the drivingforce behind facilities forcommercial waste.


Best value in the use of publicfunds is a key driver in themanagement of household wastestreams and different stakeholdershave a role in measuring andassessing this value. While asimilar value needs to bedemonstrated in the private sectorthe dynamics are often differentand driven by profit and lossmargins, funding issues, investorconfidence and shareholderissues.

Overview

Many different companies,organisations, groups andindividuals will be involved in thedesign of new waste facilities.This chapter defines who thelead design stakeholders are andhow they can contribute to thedevelopment of better placesand buildings. It considers atwhat stage and to what level inthe design process differentstakeholders should becomeengaged.

Achieving good design is not theresponsibility of one party alonebut requires teamwork, and attimes conflict management, toachieve resolution andconsensus. Some members ofthe core design team may beengaged at a numder of stages,whilst others may have onlylimited windows of opportunity toinfluence outcomes. Input frommany different perspectives isrequired to get a balanced finaldesign.

Stakeholder input to the design process

CO

NC

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FIN

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S TA K E H O L D E R I N P U T

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The client/developerThe developer is often thewaste managementcompany and lead playerbut could also be a localauthority (Waste DisposalAuthority). They willtypically have made astrategic orbusiness/commercialdecision to develop thenew facility either as partof a local authoritycontract procurementprocess or independently.Commercialorganisations will beclearly focused oncommercialconsiderations ofprofitability and satisfyingshareholders.

The landowner(s)In many cases thedeveloper will also be thelandowner although thisis not necessarily thecase. Local authoritiesmay retain the freehold tothe property or thedeveloper may have aleasehold arrangementwith a third partylandowner.

Landowners clearly playan important role in theprocess. They may bepublic or private sectorbut essentially they havesimilar objectives: torealise as much value aspossible from their landholding. In some casesthey may wish toinfluence thecharacteristics of aproposed development,particularly if they alsoown adjoining land.

Adjoining landownersmay also state clearopinions on the use of asite. While their input tothe design may often belimited, a solution for asite should consider theirinterests particularlywhere longer termrelations are an importantconsideration.

FinanciersThe development of newwaste facilities is anexpensive process.Although some largewaste managementcompanies will be able tofund new projects out ofprivate equity, others willrequire third partyinvestment. Where amunicipal facility is beingdeveloped certaingovernment bodies mayalso be acting in the roleof financiers.

Those funding thedelivery will expect theplanning and deliveryrisks to be minimised anddesign parameters will bean important componentof this.

Private sector During the early 1990s, theEnvironmental Protection Act wasinstrumental in altering the way inwhich municipal waste wasmanaged in the UK. In an attemptto improve standards and introducean element of competition, disposalauthorities were required to use athird-party contractor (although this

could be a local authority wastedisposal company). The CleanNeighbourhoods and EnvironmentAct 2005 removed this restriction.In practical terms the letting oflong-term collection and disposalcontracts, together with the growthin private sector waste companies,has resulted in a loss of skills anddelivery mechanisms withinauthorities.



SuppliersNew waste facilities willrequire input fromnumerous suppliers.These will includemanufacturers ofconstruction materialsand in some casesspecialist technologyproviders. Constructionmaterials selection andavailability will have asignificant influence overthe appearance of adevelopment andpotentially theconstruction cost. Inputfrom technology providersis particularly appropriatewhere new, novel orspecialist treatmenttechniques are required.Technology providers tendto receive some level offinancial support fromgovernment bodies totrial their process andestablish pilot plants. Inmore complex facilitiestechnology providers mayalso play a key role inon-going managementand maintenance.

AdvisorsThe role of independent,specialist advisors hasgrown dramatically overthe past 30 years, withspecialist consultanciesadvising on a wide rangeof issues. Advice isprovided to both theprivate and public sectorsand covers all aspects ofwaste management, fromstrategy formulation todetailed design andpermits. It is also possibleto involve a Royal Instituteof British Architects (RIBA)client design advisor whocan provide sound,impartial and informeddesign advice. Having theadvisor on board fromthe earliest stages canhelp bring certainty andcontrol to the wholedesign process. A ClientDesign Advisor (usuallyan architect) maybeemployed to provideindependent designadvice.

This means that many new waste facilities in Englandwill be delivered by the private sector whether theyare managing municipal or commercial waste.Although proposed developments will often be drivenby a single waste management company orconsortium there are often very different playerswithin the design team.

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The strategistsPublic sector bodies atnational, regional andlocal levels have clearresponsibilities fordeveloping strategies andplans for the futuremanagement of waste intheir areas. Thesestrategies and plans aredriven, to a large degree,by requirements passeddown through Europeanlegislation, as describedin Chapter 2, and set thetone for newdevelopment. This is speltout within the aims,objectives and policyinstruments withinnational guidance,regional strategies andthe local developmentframework.

The providersThe key players in thepublic sector chargedwith the responsibility fordelivering new facilitiesare those that are legallyresponsible for collectingwaste and for managingit. These are commonlyreferred to as the wastecollection and wastedisposal authorities(WCAs and WDAs). In aunitary authority areathese are generally thesame authority. Theseauthorities are often theproject funders and willneed to make judgementsabout the level of designquality, investmentrequired and value formoney.

The regulatorsThese are stakeholderswith input into thepermission processrequired before proposalscan be implemented. Themain bodies concernedwith planning andpermitting are the localplanning authority andthe Environment Agency.Within a local authorityultimate responsibility formany of the decisionsmade rests with theelected council members.Some decisions may bedelegated to officers butmost waste applicationsare likely to go in front ofthe relevant planningcommittee. There arealso a series of statutoryand non-statutoryconsultees withresponsibility forprotecting certain interestareas.

The Planning Inspectoratealso has a role to play inprocessing planning andenforcement appeals andholding inquiries intodevelopment plans.

The public sector Public sector organisations havemany roles to play in the deliveryof waste facilities and have wide-ranging involvement in the designprocess. Government at all levelshas responsibilities for deliveringWaste Strategy 2007 andcontrolling development. It plays acritical role in setting the tone andexpectations for design standards.

The community The influence of the localcommunity should not beunderestimated. Municipal wastefacilities are usually funded by thepublic sector and therefore paidfor by the taxpayer. Localauthorities are also accountable tothe local population in terms ofwhat is provided and where.Thorough consultation with the



Formal communityinvolvement Some members of thecommunity can play aformal role in thedecision making process,most commonly asconsultees to theplanning process. ParishCouncils and other localgroups are likely to makeformal comment onplanning applications andtheir views will be takenon board by the localplanning authority.

Informal communityinvolvementLocal people are likely tocome to their ownconclusions regarding aproposed developmentand may voice strongopinions for or against.Effective involvement andcommunication with thelocal community shouldbe at the heart of thedelivery of a new facilityand can play a majorrole in a successfulplanning outcome.Demonstrating that afacility is needed,together with clearjustification for a designsolution is critical. Astructured and well-designed publiccommunication strategywith or without expertassistance can greatlyassist in alleviating anyunfounded fears orconcerns.

community should be at the heart of the delivery ofnew waste facilities. It is important to remember thatthe ‘local community’ may take several guises, mostobviously in the form of parish councils, localresidents and community groups, but also includinglocal businesses and interest groups such as wildlifetrusts. The community may also have a long-terminvolvement with a facility, particularly where itprovides a key service (e.g. household wasterecycling centres) or incorporates a local resource(e.g. an education centre).

PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

i-recycle Centre, Islington, London

What is it?• Innovative education centre within working waste

management facility; Hornsey Street Waste, Re-use andRecycling Facility

Design Features• Elements within the centre are made entirely of recycled

or sustainable material.• Resource for Islington schools and community groups.• Developed in collaboration with experts from the

National Science Museum. • Features touch-screen displays, games and videos as

teaching aids to inform children and adults aboutrecycling and waste issues

Images courtesy of Islington Council

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Core design – Any organisationsinvolved in the project must havea commitment to effective design.A project that results in a well-designed waste facility will dependon the project team effectivelyworking together to achieve adefined design brief.

Concept designs will be developedat this point, offering opportunitiesfor engaging with the wholeproject team and widerstakeholders. Visualisationtechniques such as photomontagescan be useful at this stage toillustrate development scale andlocation. The technical advisorteam and specialists such asarchitects, planners and engineerswill have significant input at thisstage.

It is important that all information,especially that targeted at a non-technical audience, is presentedunambiguously. The ability toexplain how the internal technicalaspects of the facility havedictated the external design will beimportant in helping people’sunderstanding.

The establishment of a local liaisongroup may provide focus andpromote effective communicationabout a proposed development.This can be difficult and can becontentious, but it is often worththe extra effort. It is also at thispoint in the design process that theplanning application will besubmitted and details of aproposed development will becomemore widely available.

Linking stakeholders withthe design process

Setting the design agenda – Theprocess of establishing the need forthe facilities gives local authoritiesan ideal opportunity to explain thedesign requirements that are likelyto influence future proposals.Design considerations should beintegrated with plan preparation toensure that the design process iseffective. Procuring authoritiesshould establish design objectivesand evaluation criteria early in theproject specification and tenderingprocess.

It is desirable to develop a designbrief with the project team andreview it with relevant stakeholdersto ensure that it covers currentfunctional and operational needs.This will allow early consensus andprovide a reference pointthroughout the life of the project.Where sites form a part of a widerregeneration scheme ormasterplan, planning authoritiesmight find it helpful to include adesign or planning brief as anaddendum to its development plandocuments.

The point where objectives areagreed and high level designoptions are considered is criticalto achieving an appropriate levelof quality. Getting this stage rightwith the stakeholders can helpensure future iterations of designsare effectively guided, therebyminimising future changes. It maybe appropriate to employ a ClientDesign Advisor (CDA) at this pointin the process to ensure thatstrong design principles areembedded from an early stage.



Design realisation – Stakeholderinvolvement should continuethrough the construction phase. Itis likely that planning conditionswill need to be met and this couldrequire discussion and agreementwith the local planning authorityand relevant consultees.Continued community involvementwill also help address any issuesthat may arise that may result inthe construction methods/approach being adapted.

Operation - Involvement does notstop when the facility isconstructed. Appropriateconsultation with stakeholdersneeds to be undertaken during thepost-construction period. Whilethe building is in use it isimportant to ensure that thebuilding satisfies stakeholderrequirements, particularly thewaste disposal authority.Maintaining a local liaison group

NOTIFYNotify stakeholders andcommunities that they are to be consulted

INFORMInform them about the plans,

including the constraints and opportunities

CONSULTConsult, using a variety of tools to get beyond

usual suspects

MEASUREMeasure the feedback from stakeholders and

the community

REPORT BACK Report back to consultees

on what you found out from them

RESPONDRespond by amending

the plans where appropriate

PUBLISHPublish amended plans,

highlighting what changed,what didn’t and why

can help to ensure that anyoperational concerns or issues canbe addressed effectively.Incorporating a visitor centre intoan operational facility can providea valuable local resource anddevelop links with the community.

Interaction Many individuals andorganisations are involved in thedesign process. Each of thesestakeholders has various degreesof influence at each stage.

The diagram below gives anindication of the stakeholders andtheir interaction with the designprocess. It should be noted thatthe level of influence is likely tovary from project to projectdepending on the site location,treatment type, project team andproject objectives.

Seven PointConsultation Plan

Courtesy of PPS Group

Setting thedesign agenda Core design Design

Realisation Operation

PUBLIC SECTOR

Strategists

Providers

Regulators

PRIVATE SECTOR

Developer

Landowner

Financier

Technology Provider

Advisors

COMMUNITY

Formal e.g. parish councils

Informal e.g.local residents

lead role team role consultative roleKey:

Interaction between stakeholders and the design process

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Internal consultation anddiscussion within the project teamshould not be forgotten. The teamwill include the client and often agroup of technical advisers.Sufficient time must be allowed forall stakeholders including thedesign members of the team towork through their ideas,communicate with the rest of theteam and provide maximumadded value. The client needs tobe clear about how it willcontribute to design reviews andmake sure that it has adequatedesign expertise available to helpthem do so.

Opportunities forstakeholder involvement

Involving stakeholders will helpreveal their concerns and enablethem to develop theirunderstanding of the project. Theintention is to allow them toexpress any concerns or queriesthey have and therefore helpdecision-makers progress towardsa smooth planning process. WasteInfrastructure Delivery Programme(WIDP) planning systems guidanceincludes reference to stakeholderengagement.

Appropriate levels of stakeholderinvolvement early in a project areimportant to ensure that accurateinformation is conveyed and thatpeople’s opinions can be heard.This process can also help togenerate confidence and trust. Ifthird parties are consulted too latein the design process, theirrequirements cannot be easilyaccommodated in the designwithout abortive work, often atsignificant cost. Involving localcouncillors presents an opportunityto explain the background to theproposed development andcouncillors can play an importantrole in disseminating informationto local residents through localmeetings, surgeries etc.

Community involvementroutes

The local community can beinvolved in the proposals in avariety of ways including:

� face to face consultation

� meetings

� focus groups

� questionnaires

� newsletters

� exhibitions and open days

� posters

� internet sites

� the media, particularly localnewspapers

� television and radio stations.

Chapter 5: Setting the design agenda

Driving good design


Overview 49The starting point for the design process 49Creating the vision 51Forward planning 52Development control 55Cost 55

Contents

47SETTING THE DESIGN AGENDA

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a local planning perspective therole of design therefore beginswith the formulation of localdevelopment documents which canset the scene for high asperationsin design. Site allocations shouldhave regard to how facility designwill fit with site setting, neighboursand other appropriate selectioncriteria, including environmentalconstraints.

From a private developerperspective, good design at theoutset needs to be integrated intothe raison d’etre of the project,leading to planning benefits,community acceptance,sustainable credentials, whole lifecost savings and so on.Developers will often maintain asingular focus on commercialdrivers, so it is important theyunderstand that good design maybe the key to whether their projectproceeds or not. As in othersectors, such as urban design,developers know that certainminimum standards have to bemet. These may go well beyondthe pure functionality of the use ofthe building they are developing.

The starting point for thedesign process

National level policy documentsestablish the overall principles andincentives for good design whetherspecific to waste or not (such asPPS 10 and Waste Strategy 2007).At this level design reference islikely to be broad, non-specificand possibly aspirational.However, it is critical that designrequirements and overallexpectations are embedded inpolicy at this level. Otherwisethere is no incentive to implementthese objectives at a local level.

Regional government isresponsible for identifying broadlocations for national, regionaland sub-regional waste facilitiesand initial consideration of thetreatment requirements to meet theregion’s needs. The regionalspatial strategy sets the agenda forpolicy formulation at a local leveland design considerations shouldbe intrinsic to this.

For local authorities, the startingpoint in terms of municipal wastefacilities is the preparation of thelocal waste strategy. Key decisionsat this stage influence variousthings such as the number andsize of facilities and potentialtechnology solutions to beconsidered.

According to national planningguidance, waste facilities shouldbe brought forward in accordancewith a plan-led system where clearpolicies provide structure andcontrol to land use planning. From


‘In planning for the achievement of highquality and inclusive design, planningauthorities should have regard to goodpractice set out in By Design – Urbandesign in the planning system: towardsbetter practice (2000); By Design –better places to live (2001); SaferPlaces – the Planning System and CrimePrevention (2004); and Planning andAccess for Disabled People: A GoodPractice Guide (2003).’

Planning Policy Statement 1: DeliveringSustainable Development (2005)

paragraph 37

Overview

This chapter looks at the differentfactors and mechanisms thatinfluence the design agenda fornew waste facilities. Planningpolicy and national guidance arethe obvious public sectorinstruments available togovernment agencies from a landuse planning perspective. Wastecollection and disposal strategiesalso have important implicationsfor the size, distribution andmanagement options. With wastetreatment facilities the wastedisposal authority plays a pivotalrole in driving the design agendaand setting expectations. Wastemanagement companies can alsoplay an equally important rolethrough adoption of their owncorporate design policies andindustry benchmarks for quality inthe development of new facilities.

The benefits that good design canbring to good planning decisionsmust be embedded from the startthrough strong, effective andenforceable policies. Wider designbenefits often require carefulpresentation and communicationin policies and project plans.Issues associated with sustainableconstruction and full project lifecycle costs can be complex. Theyrequire strong commitment andvision on the part of designprofessionals to influence politicalsponsors and other projectdecision makers.

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Key public sector instruments to reinforce principles forgood design

� Regional Spatial Strategy

� Municipal Waste Management Strategy

� Local Development Framework

� Statement of Community Involvement and other stakeholder engagement strategies

� the role in procurement, invitation to tender, bid evaluation, designbriefs, contract specifications and performance criteria.

suitable facilities are provided tomaintain a tidy appearance butthis can be detrimental to thelocal environment in terms ofstreet clutter and the overallappearance of our towns andcites. Strategic and urban designconsiderations need to be factoredinto key decisions regarding wastecollection.

People involved in the design andconsideration of waste collectionfacilities need to think laterally.How can waste collection be bestintegrated with the localcommunity, streetscape or urbandesign principles? When wastemanagement is considered in thisway it is clear that the design ofinfrastructure and strategy has amajor influence on the places thatwe live in.

How design impinges on the initialplanning stages of a project mighthave significant implications forsetting the budget. Of particularrelevance is the balance betweenthe cost of providing a purelyfunctional facility and the addedvalue that good design can bring.

The local waste collection strategyalso has design implications. Theapproach to domestic wastecollection has implications forstreetscape and the attractivenessof the places in which we live.There are also practicalconsiderations. For example, ifsorting takes place at the kerbside,what impact could this have onroad congestion in high-densityareas? In addition, issues such asvehicle size and requirements forbin storage can influence widerurban design considerations.

In urban centres waste collectioninfrastructure also has animportant role. It is important that



Creating the vision

Good design needs to begin witha vision of what represents theideal design outcome. This willmean different things for differentstakeholders and is likely to evolveover time as the project orconcept develops and as moreproject definition is provided. Inany sphere of life it is important tohave a context for actions -without order and context there ischaos.


Envac, Wembley:

What is it?• Innovative mixed waste collection system

Design Features• Use of an underground network of pipes feeding from

above ground waste bins• Waste is drawn through

pipes by use of a partial vacuum system; which draws waste to a central depot reducing the need for roadtransportation.

‘There will be situations where it couldbe appropriate for planning authoritiesto anticipate levels of buildingsustainability in advance of those setout nationally. When proposing anylocal requirements for sustainablebuildings planning authorities must beable to demonstrate clearly the localcircumstances that warrant and allowthis. These could include, for example,where:

� there are clear opportunities forsignificant use of decentralised andrenewable or low carbon energy; or

� without the requirement, forexample on water efficiency, theenvisaged development would beunacceptable for its proposedlocation.’ Planning Policy Statement : Planning

and Climate Change, Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1

(2007) paragraph 31

Images courtesy of Envac UK

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demanding good design in newproposals through the planningsystem. Opportunities forembedding design principles in thevision for a local area begin withthe early stages of the plan makingprocess. Local authorities should beencouraged to strive for designexcellence.

The development plan systemprovides the essential frameworkfor guiding and controlling newwaste facility development. It alsohelps local authorities achievebetter standards of design for newwaste buildings. The developmentplan documents allow scope forproviding input at various levels sothat design considerations are anintegral part of the planpreparation and decision makingprocess. The core strategy andsite policies should set the agendawhile the role of a supplementaryplanning document on designcould be to describe the detailedroute plan. When these documentsstart to make specificrecommendations, for example onthe allocation of sites, it isimportant that designconsiderations feed into thisprocess.

Specific design guidance withinsupplementary planningdocuments may relate to wastemanagement facilities or aparticular site or it can be moregeneric. This can provide aneffective means for communicatinglocal planning authorityexpectations and requirements toprospective developers.

The overall design vision shouldextend beyond simply providingpart of the waste managementservice for the area. It also needsto meet design performancecriteria that cover all aspects ofsustainable design and a vehiclethat communicates a change inapproach to waste management. Ifthis can be achieved it can createa cleaner, more acceptable imageso that the public feel inspired andfeel a sense of ownership forwaste facilities.

Forward planning

The local planning authority playsa central role in setting the designagenda for all waste facilities. Itsets the tone for design policy andrequirements at a local level,

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‘The ‘development plan’ provides anessential framework for guiding andcontrolling development. Thedevelopment plan may comprise oneor more types of plan depending ongeographical location.

Among other things, the developmentplan:

� provides a vision for the area� identifies the main objectives to

realise that vision� defines the local context of people

and places� sets out the overall design policy

framework (and otherconsiderations) against which thelocal authority will assessdevelopment proposals

� provides the policy foundation forsupplementary planning guidance.’

By Design, Urban Design in thePlanning System : Towards Better

Practice (2000)




Sheffield EfW and Combined Heat and Power

What is it?• Large scale combined heat and power (CHP) network,

forming one of the largest waste fuelled district heating andpower generation systems in the UK.

Design Features• Combined electricity (19MW) and Thermal (Hot Water)

(60MW) energy plant.• The district energy network successfully connects over 140

public and commercial buildings via a 44km pipeline.• Demonstrates effective multi agency and (non waste and

waste) stakeholder co-operation for wider community benefit.


Turbinehouse

National GridEnergy stations

Pumps

Refuse truck

Buildings

Key:

Flow

Return

Energy RecoveryFacility (ERF)

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Policy Document Importance in Design Terms Example

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(PPS10)

National policyon sustainable

wastemanagement

The policies in this PPS shouldbe taken into account by:

� waste planning authoritiesin discharging theirresponsibilities

� regional planning bodies inthe preparation of regionalspatial strategies

� the Mayor of London inrelation to the spatialdevelopment strategy inLondon

� local planning authorities inthe preparation of localdevelopment documents.

‘Waste managementfacilities in themselvesshould be well-designed, sothat they contribute positivelyto the character and qualityof the areas in which theyare located.’

Office of the Deputy PrimeMinister, PPS10 (2005)

Regi

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Regional SpatialStrategy

Broaddevelopment

strategy for thenext 15-20 years

The Regional Spatial Strategy(RSS) will provide a generalidea on what waste facilitiesare likely to be required (andtheir general location) andcan provide general designcomments.

‘Requiring sustainableconstruction and design asthe norm in all futuredevelopment and whenopportunities arise,improving the region’sexisting building stock in linewith current best practice.’

South West RegionalAssembly, Regional SpatialStrategy (2006)

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Developmentplan documents

to guideplanning anddevelopment

within an area

All Councils in England andWales are required to producevarious development plandocuments as part of the LocalDevelopment Framework.These documents include anumber of policies andprinciples that are key to thedesign process.

‘New developments, whatevertheir use or design idiom,must have a demonstrablecommitment to creatingplaces of lasting quality andcharacter, and reinforcingthose characteristics in theplaces around them. Buildingsin Cornwall are and shouldbe robust as well asrespecting the historicenvironment and character.’

Cornwall County Council, ADesign Statement forCornwall (2002)




East London Community Project

What is it?• Local based recycling initiative serving 1,000 high-density

residential units collecting dry recyclables andbiodegradable waste

Design Features• System achieved through engagement and co-operation of

local community groups• The biodegradable waste collection forms part of a closed

loop system, converting it into a compost type product for use within the estate.

• Use of a small scale ‘Rocket’ in vessel composting plant ata local level.

Development control

Decisions on new development proposalsshould be made in accordance withappropriate design-related policies in localdevelopment documents. Where up to datepolices do not exist then decisions need tocomply with relevant policies set out inPPSs, which are a material consideration.

Planning authorities should make use ofdesign and access statements tounderstand how a proposed developmentwill contribute to policy objectives ondesign. Applicants should ensure thatthese statements effectively communicatepositive design attributes of the proposedfacility.

In their consideration of the environmentalperformance of a proposed development,planning authorities should take particularaccount of climate change issues andshould expect new developments toincorporate a range of good designfeatures which respond to this agenda.These issues are explored further inChapter 6.

Cost

The economic bottom line will always be animportant consideration from the outset of abuilding project. However, the capital costsdo not tell the whole story and the whole Images courtesy of ELCRP

‘Applicants for planning permission to developwaste management facilities should expectexpeditious and sympathetic handling of planningapplications on sites and in locations identified indevelopment plan documents, where theirproposals reflect the planning strategy for wastemanagement and policies set out in thedevelopment plan.’

Planning Policy Statement 10 : Planning forSustainable Waste Management (2005)

paragraph 38

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StrategyDocument

Importance in Design Terms Example

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Waste Strategy2007

Sets out thevision for

sustainable wastemanagement

This new strategy builds on WasteStrategy 2000 (WS2000) and theprogress since then but is moreambitious in addressing the keychallenges for the future (such asclimate change) throughadditional steps. Its focus is on thedesign of products to minimisewaste, rather than on theappearance of facilities. But thestrong emphasis on reducingwaste arising is likely to influencethe type and number of wastefacilities required in the future.

‘Producers will have tomake products using morerecycled materials and lessnewly extracted rawmaterials. They will haveto design products that areless wasteful and takeresponsibility for theenvironmental impact oftheir products throughouttheir life.’

Waste Strategy 2007

Regi

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Regional spatialstrategy

Proposes how aregion can

manage its wastemore effectively

The regional spatial strategy detailsa number of policies for theeffective treatment within the regionas a whole. It considers wastearising, disposal routes andindicative allocations for whatshould be treated within the sub-regions and states the recyclingperformance and statutory targets. Ittherefore provides the backgroundof waste facilities that are likely tobe required within a region.

‘Well-designed andadequately staffed civicamenity sites (HWRCs)and provision of bringbanks also offeropportunities to improverecycling and green wastecollection for localauthorities.’

North West RegionalWaste Strategy (2004)

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Municipal wastemanagement

strategy

Sets out astrategic

framework for themanagement ofmunicipal waste

The MWM strategy will set out astrategic framework for themanagement of municipal waste,jointly developed and subscribedto by the waste collectionauthorities (WCAs) and wastedisposal authority (WDA) in anarea. Some strategies refer todesign issues.

‘Proposals for energy fromwaste facilities would beexpected to demonstratedesign standards, in termsof emissions andarchitecture, at leastequivalent to the highestoperational standardsanywhere in the world.’

Lancashire’s MunicipalWaste ManagementStrategy 2001-2020

Companyphilosophy and

specific proposals

Establishes anapproach toprojects andoverarchingcorporateobjectives

Company performance indicatorswill influence potential designsolutions. Such considerationscould include; deliverability,construction waste reduction,energy efficiency etc.

‘embedding good designprinciples in our overallphilosophy ensures thesolutions that we proposeare appropriate, which inturn improves ourcorporate image.’

Jeff Rhodes, Biffa WasteServices

Waste disposal authority

Waste management company




South Shropshire, Ludlow

What is it?• The first full-scale waste fuelled anaerobic digester pilot

plant in the UK, designed to recycle 5,000 tonnes ofsource-separated household biowaste per year.

Design Features• Dedicated local collection system utilising a vehicle that runs

on electricity produced from the plant.• Produces soil improver for use on local farms providing a

closed loop system to minimise transport.• Potential to provide CHP to neighbouring eco industrial

park.• Incorporates an education/conference room where aspects

of the process can be viewed and presentations given.

life costs must be evaluated and used incomparisons. It should also be noted that insome circumstances high-quality designlinked with effective stakeholderengagement can reduce planning risk,which in turn can reduce lead-in times. Thissort of consideration should be part of thedebate when overall design objectives areinitially considered and when procuringauthorities are defining their tenderspecifications.

Buildings have always been designed toachieve their functional requirement, butgood building design also addresses issuessuch as appearance, cost and durability.This agenda is now becoming increasinglybroad, taking account of the principles ofsustainable development in particular aswell as factors such as inclusive access (e.g.for the disabled), environmental impactsand regulations. Treating such requirementsas ‘add-ons’ to the basic facility canincrease the cost and compromise theintegrity of the design. However, if thesefactors are considered as integral to thedesign process, facility designers can meetseveral objectives economically. A range ofexpertise and disciplines will be requiredwithin the project team if all objectives areto be achieved effectively.

Sustainable design measures should notsimply be viewed as an added capital cost.They can bring long-term savings. Forexample, maximising natural daylight canreduce operating costs, increase safetyand improve working conditions andmorale. Other factors such as thermalefficiency and minimising energy use canbring similar benefits. Some benefitscannot be measured purely in monetaryterms and often community concerns andissues can be pre-empted and preventedthrough early investment in quality design.

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Greenfinch

Chapter 6: Core design

Arriving at good solutions

6

Overview 61Project team and design iteration 61Design themes 64

Creating good spaces 65Accommodating size and scale 67Roof lines and stack design 71Landscape and biodiversity 76Access and infrastructure 79Materials 83Climate change 87Energy and water resouces 91


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61CORE DESIGN

Design process

At this stage in the design processthere should be a definite shiftfrom strategic decisions andchoices to more focussed work onspecific proposals for the selectedsite. There should be a detailedanalysis of the site and its settingand this should inform thedevelopment of appropriatedesign concepts and ultimately thefinal solution.

Key outputs

The ultimate output from this stageis likely to be a planningapplication and associateddocuments. The exactrequirements for the planningapplication will need to bedetermined through consultationwith the local planning authority.The government guidancedocument, The Validation ofPlanning Applications: Guidancefor local planning authorities(2007) sets out a long list ofinformation/assessments that alocal planning authority mayrequire. Combined with thestandard planning applicationform (1App), this is intended tomake the planning application

Project team and designiteration

The design of a facility has tobalance a wide range of themes,including technical considerations.It is likely that a range ofstakeholders will have been andwill continue to be involved in thedesign of a given facility and theirviews and opinions need to betaken on board. It is importantthat the outcome is not design bycommittee but equally importantthat key aspects are carefullyconsidered by the design team.

Arguably the most important ofthese considerations relate to thetechnical or operationalconstraints. Will a particular wastemanagement or treatmenttechnology fit within the buildingproposed and can operationalrequirements be accommodated?Clearly this also needs to relate tothe approach to procurement. Isthe design for the facility tailoredto a specific technology solutionor can a variety of solutions beaccommodated?

Environmental criteria may beequally important. For example,are predicted noise levelsacceptable and can air dispersionrequirements be met?

These considerations are very sitespecific and the design needs totake account of any localconstraints. It is important thatsufficient flexibility and opportunityfor design iteration is allowed forin the development programme.


‘Will the place look good? Will itdelight and inspire people? Someplaces should be inconspicuous, whileothers should create new high-qualitylandmarks. But they should all lookgood, using the best possiblematerials, detailing and craftsmanship.’

Design and Access Statements; How to Write, Read and Use Them

(2006)

Overview

Once the strategic decisionsabout the delivery of a newfacility have been made, thedesign process can focus on thedetail of the proposed solution.Many factors come into play atthis stage and design decisionsspecific to the site and facilityare made.

Key issues about the scale andheight of the building, thematerials to be used and energyand water efficiency have to bemade at this stage. The designteam needs to reflect on policyprompts and on the limits andopportunities presented by thesite as well as the functionalrequirements of the facility.Much of the hard technical workis done at this stage in theprocess. Drawings and writtendetails of the development beginto emerge that set the scene forthe content of the planningapplication.

This chapter focuses on severalcore design themes. It looks atthe planning application andsome of the associateddocuments and exploressustainable designconsiderations.

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� amount

� layout

� scale

� landscape strategy andappearance, including how thelocal context has influenced thedesign

� justification for what is beingapplied for

� how it meets and complementsrelevant legislation and policy.

The statement also needs toinclude reference to aspects ofaccess in a holistic way. Why theaccess points and transport routeshave been chosen, and how thesite responds to road layout andpublic transport provision. Itshould also cover inclusive access;how everyone can get to andmove through the place on equalterms regardless of age, disability,ethnicity or social grouping.

Statements should include awritten description and justificationof the planning application.Photographs, maps and drawingsare likely to be needed to illustratethe points made. They will beavailable alongside theapplication for anyone to see andso should avoid jargon or overlytechnical language. It is importantthat they are written specifically forthe application they accompany.They need not be long, but theamount of detail they containshould reflect the complexity of theapplication and a statement for amajor development is likely to belonger than one for smaller scaleproposals.

process more consistent aroundthe country. It is also likely toincrease the requirements fordevelopers to provide moreinformation as part of theplanning process.

Various outputs from the designprocess will be central to theplanning application. Clearly, arange of design drawings will beessential but it is also importantthat the design process iseffectively communicated. Theevolution of the design from theearly strategic decisions through tothe detail of the final proposalshould be put across succinctlyand coherently. The Design andAccess Statement provides theideal opportunity to communicatethis narrative and should be seenas an opportunity to effectively sellthe design proposals.

Design and Access Statements

Design and Access Statements aredocuments that explain the designthinking behind a planningapplication. For example, theyshould show that the applicant hasthought carefully about howeveryone, including disabledpeople, older people and youngchildren, will be able to use theplaces they want to build.Guidance on the preparation ofDesign and Access Statements isprovided in Design and AccessStatements - how to write, readand use them (CABE, 2006).

The ‘design’ part explains andillustrates the design thinkingbehind a proposal, elaborating onissues of use:

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Accommodating operational plant elements

Images courtesy of Staffordshire County Council and Savage and Chadwick Architects

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Design themes

A number of themes feed into thedesign of a successful wastemanagement facility. A gooddesign solution should drawtogether many of these themes,although their individual relevancewill obviously depend on theproposed development, the siteand its location. They should notbe seen as a simple checklist ortick sheet. All elements of a facilityshould be drawn together as awhole and linked with its context.

These design themes are relevant(to a greater or lesser extentdepending on the proposeddevelopment) to all waste projects:

� creating good spaces

� accommodating size and scale

� roof lines and stack design

� access and infrastructure

� landscape

� materials

� climate change

� energy and water resources.

Each theme is dealt with in turnthrough the rest of this chapter.

CREACREATING GOOD SPTING GOOD SPAACES CES

65CORE DESIGN

It has long been a central themein urban design and townplanning that the spaces createdby built forms are as important asthe buildings themselves. How thewaste facility designer considersspace is crucial to creating aquality design solution for the siteand placement in the wider area.

In the evolution of our towns andcities spaces came first. Forexample, open markets andmeeting places were establishedbefore buildings to house theseactivities. Buildings create a senseof enclosure. Where this involves ahuman interface that enclosureneeds to be welcoming and non-threatening. With waste facilitiesthe buildings are often designed toaccommodate vehicular access,with dimensions and the size ofopenings geared towards vehiclewidths, the height of tippingvehicles and the need formanoeuvring space. Even wherefunctional needs are paramount thefamiliar shapes associated withgood places in an urban designcontext can be designed into theshapes and profiles of more



Spitelau, Vienna

What is it?� Energy from waste and CHP Facility.

Design Features� A striking approach to the design of a large scale waste

facility in an urban setting.� The façade of the building was designed by the artist

Friedensreich Hundertwasser.� Design investment and style driven by the Mayor of Vienna. � Building provides a dramatic backdrop to one of the open

spaces within the city, as well as forming a distinctivelandmark.

� Forms a core component of the extensive district heatnetwork within Vienna.

Key questions

� how does a new facilityrespond to the surroundings?

� is the building layoutappropriate, for example doesit minimise visibility ofoperational area of the site?

� is there a design brief for thesite or surrounding area?

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Fernwärme Wien

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industrial scale buildings and evenreflected in the building façade.The patterns of enclosure found tobe pleasing at a human level forbuildings such as residentialaccommodation and offices canalso be translated to waste facilitybuildings with equally good results.

When designing the layout of sitesall spaces within the site need tohave a distinctive purpose. Allspace needs to be treated as avaluable resource with maximumvalue attached to different spacessubject to their usage. Thereshould be no space without apurpose. Where the focus is simplyon where to place the building onthe site, all too often the sitelayout results in ‘left-over’ spaces.

External spaces should be designedpositively with clear functional andnon-functional demarcations.Where there is a trade and publicinterface, such as at civic amenitysites, the road layout, roadmarkings and signage should beclear and unambiguous. Signageand instructions to visitors shouldbe welcoming as well asinformative. Even the smallest areason sites can add value in improvingthe overall feel of the site.

‘British architectural education hastended to concentrate on buildings andrather ignored the fact that buildingsdefine spaces, and it is the quality ofthe public realm that we either enjoy orsuffer.’

Urban Design Compendium (2007) ‘Placemaking

� be concerned not with buildings inisolation but with places

� ensure that community consultationis built into the procurement,planning and design processes

� consider how to develop aprocurement process that isproactive, preparing design policies,design frameworks and design briefsto promote good design in publicbuildings

� ensure the project team anddetermining authorities have accessto high-quality design advice.’

Better Civic Buildings and Spaces(2002)

Do Don’t

� look at the site area as a whole,not just in terms of the buildingfootprint and road layout

� associate the site with itsneighbours, combine or linkcompatible spaces if betterviewed as one entity

� consult relevant experts on bestuse of space for hard and softlandscaping

� link building shapes with hardlandscaping to provide cohesion.

� plan the site solely on the bestbuilding location

� waste valuable space if it has anancillary purpose that adds valueto the whole

� landscape to hide an uglybuilding or to provide a stickingplaster on more fundamentaldesign flaws

� treat landscaping and buildingspecifications as completelyseparate issues.

Creating Good Spaces - Design Tips

AACCOMMODCCOMMODAATING SIZE AND SCALE TING SIZE AND SCALE

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The size of new waste facilitiespresents interesting challenges tothe industry and for regulatorswho have frequently been used towaste management happeningoutside buildings, for example onlandfill sites and open civicamenity sites. Even householdrecycling centres are now beingdesigned within buildings toprovide a better environment forusers and to enable more effectiveenvironmental management.

Waste facility sizes and scales

New facilities can be divided intofour principal groups; communityfacilities such as bring sites; smallsheds; bigger sheds with orwithout tanks and pipe work etc;and large scale developmentssuch as energy from waste (EfW)plants. The scale of thedevelopment will be a function ofmany variables, including therequirements of the waste strategythe size of waste catchment andlocal needs.



Isseane, Paris

What is it?� A major new Energy from Waste (CHP) and recycling facility

in the centre of Paris next to the River Seine.

Design Features� Combined electricity (52MW) and Thermal (Hot Water) for

79,000 homes.� A bold approach to constructing a new waste management

facility within a high density urban area.� Scale and visual impact reduced by burying the facility 30m

below ground, leaving 21m above ground.� Incorporates a ‘natural’ green roof.� Unusual technical solution for plant emissions has led to a

very low profile (5m) stack height.

Key questions

� can the facility be deliveredwithin the site available?

� is the site context appropriatefor the scale of developmentbeing considered?

� can any measures beincorporated to help reducebuilding scale or mass?

� is the architectural solutionappropriate for the site andfacility proposed?

Images courtesy of Tiru

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Setting

There are three general land usecontexts with respect to the sitesetting; each will often requirecontrasting design responses tosimilar functional needs:

� urban

� semi-urban/urban fringe

� rural.

Urban

The juxtaposition of new wastefacilities with other urban landuses presents a number of designchallenges linked to publicattitudes toward wastemanagement and urban designissues. It is not the purpose of thisguide to deal with the many andvaried environmental andperception issues of wastemanagement but good design canplay a major role in allayingmisconceptions and fearsregarding the perceived impacts ofwaste activities.

There is sufficient technicalknowledge within the wasteindustry to manage effectively theamenity and environmentalimpacts associated with wastefacilities. Indeed the roots ofefficient waste management lie infacilities being sited close to themain sources of waste, which areour urban centres. Conflictbetween waste activities andapparently incompatible sensitiveuses such as housing, schools andhospitals is not inevitable.Consideration of key issues suchas climate change and theassociated use of carbon

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Examples of Different Scales ofWaste Facilities

Footprints and heights of buildingswill vary according to the natureof the technology being used andthe configuration of operationalprocesses. One commondetermining factor for most wastefacilities is that the internal spaceand vehicular door openings needto accommodate the height of araised tipper lorry. As an examplethis requires the door openings tobe 7 metres in height with thebuilding eaves often at a height ofapproximately 12 metres. This is asimilar scale to many commercialdistribution buildings.

Energy from waste plants stand outas the most imposing of new wastefacilities. Some new technologieshave been marketed on the basisthat they can reduce the overallbulk of the buildings and the heightof stacks, making them more suitedto a wider range of potential sites.Nevertheless, the scale of buildingspresent considerable designchallenges that makes ‘fitting in’with the existing fabric ofteninappropriate or impossible.

SmallScale

� Bring sites� Civic amenity sites� Local transfer facilities

MediumScale

� Large transfer stations� Mechanical biological

treatment (MBT)• Anaerobic digestion (AD)

LargeScale

� Thermal treatmentfacilities

� Integrated sitesincorporating a numberof different treatmentoptions

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footprints encourage this byminimising transport distances andthe efficient use of energy,potentially in the form ofcombined heat and power (CHP).

Semi-urban/urban fringe

New facilities are often linked toindustrial or employmentallocations in development plans.These are commonly associatedwith urban fringe locations on theedge of built-up areas. Goodtransport links, resulting from by-passes or urban perimeter roadsmay focus attention for siteselection in such areas.

The design challenges in thissituation are often complex. Thearchitects and designers of suchfacilities will need to reconcile theneed to harmonise with an existingbuilt environment or one that isemerging, whilst at the same timebe sensitive to the ruralenvironment. Often such sites willalso be on transport nodes, andgateway locations to town andcities. There may be opportunitieshere for more distinctive orimaginative design statements.

Rural

Local authorities, developers andtheir advisors often look at existingwaste sites when undertakingalternative site assessments fornew waste facilities. Landfill sitesare often associated with mineraloperations in rural locations.There are often planningadvantages associated with thecontinuation of waste activities in


Hornsey Street, Islington

What is it?� Waste Transfer; bulking and civic amenity site incorporating

a waste education centre.

Design Features� Integration of a large scale facility within a tightly

constrained high density urban site.� Innovative multi level layout, enables good use of space on

a reduced building footprint compared with most facilities ofthis type.

� The facility provides opportunities for waste education andawareness through the ‘i-recycle’ Centre which provideslinks to schools and the wider community.

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Assuming a balanced planningassessment results in a strong casefor development in thecountryside, it may be appropriateto consider imaginative solutionsbut these need to be evaluatedcarefully. In most situations evenmedium-sized waste facilities willnot be effectively screened bylandscaping or bunds. Indeed, thisinvites entirely the wrongphilosophy. Simple, attractive,well-designed buildings withquality detailing can fit with arural context without going togreat lengths to hide them behindunnatural earth bunds orinappropriate blocks of trees.

locations where there are existingplanning precedents and transportlinks and where local residentshave become accustomed to thisuse. This is particularly true if anexisting landfill has a longremaining life.

The siting of large buildings in thecountryside is generally contrary tothe principles of planning set outin PPS 1 (2005) and othernational guidance. Historically,large agricultural buildings havebeen the obvious exception to thisgeneral rule. There are otherrelated issues associated with thelocation of waste facilities in thegreen belt policy (PPG 2, 1995). C

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Do Don’t

� use professional architects withthe appropriate skills andexperience

� think carefully about the scale ofneighbouring buildings or whereadjacent sites are allocated butundeveloped and what therelationship between futurebuildings and the waste facilitywill be.

� use computer design technologyto produce virtual images of theproposals and surrounding areato a better understanding of howa building will look from keyviewpoints.

� underestimate the visual impactsand imposing nature of somewaste facilities

� simply fit in with the localvernacular without consideringdesign objectives

� produce a pastiche of existingforms

� be afraid of challengingperceived norms associated withtraditional industrial buildingsand the potential for design flair.

Accommodating Size and Scale - Design Tips

ROOF LINES AND STROOF LINES AND STAACK DESIGNCK DESIGN

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The scale of many new wastefacilities will require architects tothink carefully about how the largemass of the building can bebroken up. An imaginative designcan assist with its integration intothe existing built environment.Consideration should be given toshort and long distance views andchanging conditions associatedwith weather or seasons.

The traditional rectilinear forms ofmany waste ‘sheds’ is functionaland cost effective and often fitswell within an industrial setting.However, as is the case whenconsidering size and scale, thesetting for many new facilities willoften require or deserve more thanthe most basic minimum costoption.

Key questions

� does the roofline of theproposed facility help tobreak up its scale and mass?

� how does the shape of theroof respond to thesurroundings?

� will the roofline complementthat of neighbouringbuildings?

� if the proposed facility has astack how does the designsolution for this fit with theother parts of the building?


Richmond Hill, Isle of Man

What is it?� Energy from waste facility in a rural setting.

Design Features� Use of curving roof structures to mimic landform in the

countryside setting.• Architect inspired Viking ship concept near the coast, with

innovative stack design to reflect a sail.• Effective use of materials in the design to integrate

operational elements with architectural shapes.

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� collection of rain water (‘greywater’) for various non-potableuses

� living/green roofs

� eye catching use of shape andtexture

� imaginative use of colour andtype of roofing materials.

Similar principles apply to stackdesign. Many new facilities, and inparticular energy from waste (EfW)plants are likely to require tallstacks to facilitate effectivedispersion of combustion gases.The height will be determinedthrough assessment of a numberof factors including local setting,climate and computer modellingof air dispersion characteristics.Computer modelling can alsoassess the effect of proposedbuildings on airflow and this is animportant design consideration interms of the relationship betweendifferent elements of the proposeddevelopment and any nearbystructures.

Stacks associated with wastefacilities are often associated withsources of pollution. The reality isthat strict European legislationmeans that potentially harmfulemissions from waste facilities canbe controlled to levels that arealmost negligible and comparefavourably with other industries.

Where some architecturaltreatment can be applied to stacksto fit with the overall designconcept this is often helpful insoftening the otherwise industrialcharacteristics of facilities. There

Proposing the standard simplestraight-line solutions may not beenough to respond positively topolicy expectations or engenderthe feeling of quality in design thatis required.

Strict adherence with purelyfunctional building forms does notalways fit comfortably with thehuman eye and human perceptionof what constitutes a ‘good place’.The pursuit of good places indesign is not purely the domain ofurban designers and townplanners. The same principles canbe applied to waste facilities as toother large urban buildings,offices and civic structures.

Interest can be generated veryeffectively by simple alterations tothe ‘basic’ design. On atraditional steel portal framebuilding much can be achievedcost effectively by small alterationsto the vertical profile and roofinterface. For example, lowpitched roofs, simple curves or astepped roof line can provide thetexture that is required. This canbreak up the mass of the buildingand provide a more sympatheticprofile. More radical solutions,such as curved or flat profiledroofs, may also be considered.

Roofs can be used to improve theoverall sustainability credentials ofwaste facilities, and to providedesign interest through featuressuch as:

� roof lights incorporated tomaximise natural light

� photovoltaic cells

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are a number of differentapproaches that can be used tocreate interest in the form andalso deceive the eye through apartial optical illusion making theviewer believe the stack is actuallyshorter than it is.

Interesting examples of stackdesign associated with wastemanagement facilities in the UKand in Europe include:

� Isle Man EfW plant – a sailstructure used to integrate withoverall plant design concept andreduce the perceived stackheight

� Vienna EfW plant – a distinctivestructure and local landmark,with interesting detail thatcomplements the rest of thebuilding

� Lakeside, Slough EfW plant –external spiral superstructurearound simple narrow fluesreduces the mass of the stackand adds visual interest

� Bolton, EfW – a traditionalcotton town, a relatively oldincinerator (1970 refurbished1990’s), a traditional brick stackhas been used to reflect thehistorical industrial heritage ofthe area.


Raikes Lane, Bolton

What is it?� Energy from waste in a semi urban setting.

Design Features� The use of a gently tapering brick stack sets this apart from

other facilities. � The brick stack reflects the cotton mill industrial heritage of

the Bolton skyline at the time the plant was built in 1970before the height of the steeplejack, Fred Dibnah’s,demolition spree!

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Greater Manchester Waste

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Do Don’t

� use professional architects withappropriate skills and experience

� provide interest through shapes � provide interest through detailing

and patterns� use optical illusions to reduce the

perceived height of tall structures� employ appropriate professionals

with expertise in air dispersion toinform the design.

� perpetuate mediocrity throughmimicking bad design in existingbuildings

� ignore opportunities to challengeengineering norms for exampleon standard steel portal frameconstructions, by use of claddingand surface treatments to createinteresting and eye catchingrooflines

� assume that design is a simpleprocess for waste facilities

� underestimate the required heightof emission stacks

� ignore the impact the stack willhave on surrounding viewpointsand how it will ‘sit’ within thelandscape of the area.

Roof Lines and Stack Design - Design Tips

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Images courtesy Veolia Environmental Services (www.veolia.co.uk)


Marchwood, Hampshire

What is it?� Energy from waste facility on Southampton Water.

Design Features� Represents the most striking contemporary design in waste

management facilities in the UK to-date.� Simple dome structure provides a distinctive building form

unique in the waste sector.� A solution which uses the open aspect of the site with a

clear vision to ‘show off’ the design on a prominent site onthe edge of Southampton Harbour.

LANDSCAPE AND BIODIVERSITYLANDSCAPE AND BIODIVERSITY

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An appropriate landscape strategyis an important facet of the wholesite design. Often there will belimited opportunities forlandscaping, but where they existthey should be grasped. Thelandscape strategy should beappropriate to the location inwhich the site sits. It is likely thata very different approach will betaken if a proposed site is setwithin an urban or industrialcontext, compared with a ruralsite. As such soft landscape issuesshould be considered at the startof the design process. This willavoid landscape design being anafterthought and just beingapplied to the ‘space left overafter planning’ (Llewelyn-Davies,Urban Design Compendium,2007).

Landscape architects anddesigners who have previouslyapplied their expertise to opensites such as landfills need to startfrom a very different standpointand design philosophy.Landscape planting schemesassociated with quarries andlandfills have often been used toscreen and indeed hide siteoperations. To this end, manyhave been very successful.

When designing a newdevelopment the setting should beconsidered from the outset. Thedesign of a facility needs toconsider more than just thebuilding footprint or indeed thesite in isolation. It is oftenbeneficial if wider site designissues can be included in thisprocess from the outset, which canalso set the tone for the ethos ofthe development as a whole. Thespace around the building shouldnot be forgotten; the considerationof landscape is integral to designquality. The area around aproposed development canprovide great opportunities forproviding an appropriate settingas well as enhancing biodiversity.

Key questions

� What type of landscapestrategy would be appropriatefor a site?

� Can biodiversity gains on thesite be realised?

� Can locally native plantspecies be incorporated withinplanting schemes?

� How can planting be used tohelp break up hard elementsof the development e.g.planting between roads, livingroofs?

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The landscape strategy for the sitecan be seen as a very goodopportunity to maximisebiodiversity potential. Habitatcreation or replacement as part ofthe landscape proposals canpresent beneficial opportunities.Any ecological survey workundertaken as part of anEnvironmental Impact Assessmentshould be considered whenpreparing the landscape strategy.The local Biodiversity Action Plan(BAP) should be referred to, as thiscan provide valuable pointers withregard to habitat creation andsuitable species for inclusion in aplanting scheme.

On smaller sites chosen toaccommodate small single usewaste facilities (civic amenity sites,small transfer stations etc) theopportunities for complexlandscape strategies are likely tobe limited. However, carefullythought out planting at key nodessuch as the access points can bevery effective if done well.Planting on buildings themselves(including living/green roofs) canalso be used to soften facades,naturalise the look of manmadebuilding materials and break upthe mass of the structure.Consideration needs to be givento maintenance and accessrequirements if this approach ischosen.

With buildings, hiding them is notgenerally an option. A landscapedesign strategy that seeks tosimply screen a building assumesit is fundamentally unattractive.New buildings should notautomatically be seen as anegative. However, in somecircumstances minimising potentialvisual impact may be ofparamount importance, andopportunities for screening shouldbe considered even if this is onlyin relation to certain locationsaround a site.

The use of appropriate landscapetreatment and strategies for sitescan bring benefits, both in termsof the appearance of a site andbiodiversity gains. Retaining andaugmenting existing vegetation ona site can reduce the visual impactassociated with a newdevelopment, particularly relativelylow level elements andmanoeuvring vehicles.Fundamentally the landscapestrategy should be seen as anopportunity to assist theintegration of a new developmentwith its surroundings.

‘The character and appearance ofland, including its shape, form,ecology, natural features, colours andelements and the way thesecomponents combine. ....This includesall open space, including its planting,boundaries and treatment.’

By Design, Urban Design in thePlanning System (2000)

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting

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Waste facility designers shouldshare the same ambitions asurban designers as the principlesremain the same. The landscapestrategy for a site is part of theoverall design and is an essentialpart of creating a good place. Itprovides opportunities to dispelnegative preconceptions aboutwaste facilities as unpleasantplaces to be and a relatively costeffective way of presenting a morepositive image of wastemanagement generally.

On larger sites, a more complexlandscape design strategy is likelyto be required. Where there aremultiple buildings and differentwaste activities, landscaped areascan be used to help the overalland layout and flow of the site,providing legibility. Such anapproach will be particularlyimportant where there is publicaccess.

In urban design terms thechallenge is to use landscapedesign in a way that helps toprovide cohesion and a sense ofplace; linking buildings, uses andspaces both within the outside thesite.

Do Don’t

� Include landscape thoughts fromthe start of the design process

� Use landscape to integrate andenhance a good design

� Use professional landscapearchitects

� Plan ahead with planting wherepossible prior to construction

� Consider options for off siteplanting if appropriate

� Perpetuate mediocrity throughmimicking bad design in existingbuildings

� Treat landscape design as anafterthought

� Do not use landscaping as asticking plaster on something thatis fundamentally bad

Landscape and Biodiversity - Design Tips

AACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURECCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

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In addition to the wastemanagement facility itself, manylarger facilities will incorporate anumber of other design elementswithin the site. Site access andinternal roadways are an obviousexample, but a working facility isalso likely to include a range ofother ancillary buildings andstructures such as a site office,weighbridge, lighting etc.Although such features may beseen as subsidiary to the main siteuse they should be consideredwith equal design rigour as animportant part of the whole. Howthe site access and otherinfrastructure aspects areconfigured can be critical topresenting the overall designprinciples and detailing of thefinal solution.

Key questions

� is the site access and existinghighway infrastructure suitablefor the range of vehicular andpedestrian users of the site ?

� if appropriate, how is theinteraction between siteoperations and the generalpublic addressed?

� does high quality designextend to all components ofthe proposed development?

� how is boundary treatmentaddressed and does thiscomplement surroundingdevelopments?

� how is the site to be lit and isthis approach appropriate tothe context?


Tesco Store, Shrewsbury

What is it?� Recycling Centre.

Design Features� User friendly public interface.� Neat and tidy appearance integrates it within a retail

environment.� Promotes positive aspects about waste and other

environmental issues at the facility and within the store.� Users incentivised by reward points system for recycling.


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Access

Site access can be a complexissue and can relate to severaldifferent aspects. Does the sitehave good access to the local andregional road network? Is itappropriately located with regardto waste arisings? Some sites mayoffer the potential to consideralternative modes of transport;rail, river and canal.

Appropriate access for visitors andpeople with disabilities also needsto be considered. This can applyto all parts of the site includingoffices, operational areas andvisitor facilities. It may benecessary to incorporate suitablepavements, door and possibly liftfacilities. Access to facilities with apublic interface may need carefulconsideration. For example, civicamenity sites may need to adaptworking practices to provideassistance to disabled members ofthe public.

Internal movements within a siteare a critical design consideration.A waste site needs to be easy forvehicles and pedestrians to movearound and should be logical. Allwaste facilities need to allow forthe safe manoeuvring of largevehicles and this can bechallenging on sites where spaceis at a premium. The importanceof internal vehicle movements isheightened when there is a publicinterface. With civic amenity sitesit is important that the public areprovided with clear instructions asto where they can and cannot go.Where possible, separation ofpublic and trade vehicles shouldbe a priority.

Developers for new waste facilitieswill be required to submit aDesign and Access Statement withtheir planning applications. Thisshould include all aspects ofaccess and movement of vehiclesand people within and through thesite and onto the public highway.Circular 01/06 (Communities andLocal Government): Guidance onChanges to the DevelopmentControl System set out governmentguidance on the purpose of suchstatements.

Signage

Waste facilities are potentiallydangerous places and clearsignage and instruction ensuresthat vehicles or people do not endup in conflict or in the wrongplace. Signage also has animportant promotional role sincethe presence of the facility needsto be advertised to users. Signs toand within a facility can also helpto raise the profile of sustainablewaste management. In addition,signs on the local road networkcan also play an important role inthe appropriate routing of vehiclesto avoid highway restrictions oradverse impacts in sensitivelocations.

‘One statement should cover bothdesign and access, allowing applicantsto demonstrate an integrated approachthat will deliver inclusive design, andaddress a full range of accessrequirements throughout the designprocess.’

Circular 01/06 (Communities andLocal Government): Guidance on

Changes to the Development ControlSystem (2006) paragraph 58

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Ancillary buildings

Many waste management facilities,particularly larger scaledevelopments, incorporate anumber of ancillary buildings suchas a site office and weighbridge. Itis important that the designsolution encompasses theseelements to ensure the overalldesign works. Design detail isimportant to maintain quality inthe final solution and detail shouldrelate as much to smaller scaleelements as it does to the mainbuildings or infrastructure.

Many new facilities incorporateeducation or interpretationcentres, offering opportunities toexplain how waste facilities workas well as promoting messagesabout waste strategy, minimisationand recycling. These can be avaluable education resource,complementing educationobjectives within local schools aswell as informing the surroundingcommunity of the operations thattake place within the site.

Access to facilities for disabledvisitors will need to be consideredcarefully. For example, which partsof the site will they be able toaccess and how, and will accessbe available for all?

Fencing

Fencing around the site may beconsidered to be peripheral todesign, but it can set the tone of adevelopment. The main objectiveof fencing is to provide sitesecurity and consultation with thelocal police liaison officer canprovide a valuable input to theproposed solution. However, starkfencing can look imposing andunpleasant and it should be asdiscrete as possible and can becombined effectively with hedgingwhere space permits. Theapproach to fencing should linkwith the proposed landscapestrategy for the site boundary asthis can result in the mostappropriate overall solution andprovide an attractive edge andentrance to the facility.

Lighting

Internal and external lighting willbe required for almost all wastemanagement facilities. Lightingwithin a site can have severalimportant dimensions; health andsafety, security and appearance.Lighting will be needed on keypedestrian routes, car parks andaccess roads to ensure securityand safety for employees andvisitors.


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It is important that any potentialadverse impacts associated withlighting are reduced where possibleand this can be achieved bymeasures such as:

� appropriate cowls/shielding oflights to prevent glare

� minimising of light spread andreflected light through the use ofdirectional lighting anddownlighting

� positioning light sources at lowlevel rather than on tallstructures

� minimising the operational timeof the lighting to reduce thepotential for disturbance.

Lighting can add an interestingaesthetic dimension to a wastemanagement facility and has beenused successfully at facilities suchas EfW facilities in Birmingham(Tysley) and Sheffield. It isimportant that it is appropriate tothe context and any advantagesare weighed up againstdisadvantages. For example,lighting a new large-scale facilitycan complement the architecturalsolution in an urban context, butmay be seen as an unwelcomeintrusion creating light pollution ina rural location.

Do Don’t

� consider all components of afacility in the overall site designprocess

� consider access to and within asite carefully

� look at potential interactionbetween public and tradevehicles

� provide appropriate and clearsigns

� consider boundary treatments aspart of the overall designsolution

� consider how lighting cancomplement design, but avoidunnecessary light pollution.

� disregard the contribution that anancillary building will make tothe overall appearance of thefacility

� ignore the rights of disabledemployees and visitors

� treat fencing as an afterthought� introduce unsympathetic lighting,

particularly in a rural context.

Access and Infrastructure - Design Tips

MAMATERIALS TERIALS

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The selection of appropriatematerials is critical in the deliveryof an architectural concept. Thechoice of materials can make orbreak a design solution,contributing to the overall qualityof a development and its generalappearance.

Awareness of the potentialenvironmental impacts from theproduction, use and disposal ofbuilding materials has grown inrecent years. This ispredominantly due to factors suchas the increased costs associatedwith landfill, the cost of rawmaterials, changes in legislation,greater pressure on corporate


Zug, Switzerland

What is it?� Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Design Features� Uses previously developed land and incorporates existing

structures on the site.� Extensive use of timber in the new building.� The design and appearance of the building help to integrate

it within a residential context.

Key questions

� are the materials selectedappropriate for this context?

� how do materials reflect andmesh with the localvernacular?

� how do the materialscomplement the designsolution?

� do the materials selectedreduce potential impacts, forexample by using recycledproducts?

� will the use of constructionmaterials be minimised?

� can the materials be reusedor recycled when the buildingis demolished?

� where do the materialsoriginate from - can localmaterials be sourced?


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responsibility and an elevatedprofile of environmentalassessment methodologies such asBREEAM and the Code forSustainable Homes. Thesemethodologies include theconsideration of reusing materialsin construction activities, whichshould be a core consideration inthe design and construction ofwaste facilities.

The construction industry needs toreduce its consumption of fossilfuels and virgin materials by two-thirds to be sustainable. Theconstruction process leads to therelease of chemicals that candamage the environment and beharmful to human health.

Considering context

Material use should reflect thesetting of the site. Importantquestions to be considered includehow they relate to surroundingbuildings, how the local vernacularis considered and whether thematerials can reduce visual impact.Responding to context overlaps withthemes already considered, butmaterials selection is a key way inwhich a new development canrelate to those around it. Colour,pattern and detail can all addidentity and legibility.

Existing buildings

The re-use of an existing buildingmay lead to considerable costsavings and is likely to reduce thepotential impact on theenvironment. It is also likely thatan existing building will be an

accepted part of the urban orrural fabric. If an existing buildingis being used to house waste uses,replacing or refurbishing elementsof a building can bring a newlease of life and make a positivestatement.

Minimising impacts

Material selection can minimisepotential impacts in a number ofways. The most obvious is visualimpact, but careful selection canalso have an influence overmaintenance costs, thermal andacoustic insulation, drainage etc.They can help to break up massand create form. Appropriatecolouring can also minimisepotential impact by linking abuilding with its surroundings. Thepotential impact caused by noisecan be reduced by the carefulselection of materials and thesensible location of certainelements of machinery. Livingroofs can make a significantcontribution to sustainabledrainage strategies for a site andcan also lead to biodiversity gains,possibly replacing habitats lost asresult of the introduction of thebuilding.

Reused and recycled materials

About 90 million tonnes of wasteare produced each year byconstruction and demolitionprojects in the UK. Althoughrecycling reduces pressure onlandfill, it still requires significantinputs of energy. Using reusedmaterials has the benefit ofretaining the embodied energy ofthe material - the energy required

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to abstract, process, manufactureand deliver it.

For example, reusing a tonne ofbricks in their existing form saves878kg of carbon emissions butcrushing used bricks to makeaggregate saves only 15kg ofcarbon emissions.

Recycled materials

Increasing recycled content doesnot inevitably translate to anincrease in project cost. There isno need to use unfamiliar or highcost materials. Many of theproducts with higher levels ofrecycled content are alreadymainstream, high-volume productsthat are cost competitive with, andsubject to the same testingarrangements as, equivalentproducts containing less recycledmaterial.

The Waste and Resources ActionProgramme (WRAP) maintains adatabase of the recycled contentof commonly used constructionproducts.

Source of materials

Substitution of locally-sourcedreclaimed materials in construction

Reclaimed materialsare those that have been reused

in their original form withminimal reprocessing.

Recycled materialsare reprocessed and

remanufactured to form part of a new product.

Ecopoint chart for reclaimedvs new steel sections

work can reduce the lifecycleenvironmental impact of thatparticular item. As well assupporting the local economy, ithas added benefits of reducingtransport impacts such ascongestion, pollution and energyconsumption.

Off-site construction/modernmethods of construction (MMC)

The key feature of off-sitefabrication is that much of theprocess is removed from the site tocontrolled factory conditions. Thisreduces the amount of time spenton site and saves on spacerequirements. Environmentally, itreduces noise, air/water pollutionand traffic impacts on the locality,and leads to improved efficiency inthe use of resources and less waste.In addition, volumetric constructionusing prefabricated modules allowsbuildings to be potentiallydismantled and the modules reusedat a different location.

Green procurement

The two key decisions that affectthe procurement of buildingproducts and the building’s impactupon the environment are what tobuy (product type) and who to buyit from.

Publications such as the GreenGuide to Specification (2002)provide assistance to designersdeciding what to select. It providesa summary of the environmentalimpacts of a product from cradleto grave in an easy to understandrating system.

1200

800

400

0 reclaimedsteel

new steel

� waste disposal� water extraction� minerals extraction� fossil fuel depletion� eutrophication to water� ecotoxicity to water� human toxicity to water� photochemical ozone

creation potential� human toxicity to air� ozone depletion� acid deposition� climate change

A UK Ecopoint score is a measure ofthe overall environmental impact of aparticular product or process.

BRE life cycle analyses show thatreclaimed steel sections have 96percent lower environmental impactsthan new steel.

Reclaimed Building Materials in theDevelopment of the Thames

Gateway (2006)

Ecop

oint

Image courtesy of JCB Sales Ltd

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Certification of environmentalmanagement systems (EMS) for theprocess and/or extraction stagesof the product to ISO14001 orEMAS can be used as an indicatorof good performance by a supplierand help decide who to buy from.For timber products, the suppliershould be able to demonstratethat the material is from a legaland sustainable source throughcertification schemes such asForest Stewardship Council (FSC)and documentation such as chainof custody sheets.

Wasted materials

Material wastage duringconstruction can have significantfinancial implications for aproject. An average of 13 per centof all materials delivered to aconstruction site is disposed of

without ever being used. Clearlythis is a waste of money andresources. Significant benefits canbe accrued if this unnecessary costcan be avoided.

WRAP has developed a method fordevelopers to assess their netwastage based on a formula ofvalue of materials wasted versusmaterials recycled.

This approach would fit well withthe development of a constructionenvironmental management plan(CEMP).

W – R = Zvalue wasted – value recovered

= net waste

Do Don’t

� use materials to make a positivestatement

� carry out a pre-demolition auditto identify reclamationopportunities

� specify materials with a highrecycled content from a localsource if possible

� choose products that areconstructed off-site if possible

� consult the Green Guide forSpecification (or equivalent) tochoose materials with the lowestenvironmental impact

� include sustainable materials asa tender requirement.

� go for short-term cost savings atthe expense of savings over thelife of the building

� waste construction materialsunnecessarily.

Materials - Design Tips

CLIMACLIMATE CHANGE TE CHANGE

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Impacts on waste facilities

The main impacts of climatechange in the next 50-100 yearsare expected to be:

� warmer, wetter winters

� hotter and more unsettledsummers

� increased flooding due tostorms, tidal surge and a rise insea levels.

In the shorter term there areexpected to be more freak weatherevents such as flash floods, highwinds and storms. Given theexperiences of places such asBoscastle in 2004 and variousparts of the Midlands andYorkshire in 2007 it is possiblethat this trend has already started.

There are two aspects of climatechange that need to be consideredby prospective developers of newwaste facilities. First, how will theproposals impact upon the processof climate change through carbonemissions? Second, how will thedevelopment be affected in thefuture as a consequence of theeffects of climate change? Theglobal aspects of carbonemissions are touched onelsewhere and more widely innational guidance and otherliterature. We concentrate here onthe consequences of climatechange trends.

One predicted consequence ofclimate change is that extremeweather events such as prolongedperiods of unseasonaltemperatures and increasedrainfall and flooding will becomemore common. These will impacton sites and buildings and theirusers in ways that were notaccounted for in the initialdesigns. The potential effect ofclimate change is an increasinglyimportant aspect to consider whendeveloping new waste facilities.Designers will need to considerhow facilities designed for todaywill be adaptable to future climaticconditions.

Key questions

� how does the proposeddevelopment minimise itspotential contribution toclimate change?

� does the proposeddevelopment incorporatemeasures (for example,materials selection) that willminimise its potential carbonfootprint?

� is the building sited ordesigned to avoid climaticextremes, for example,exposure to high winds,flooding etc?

� does the design of thebuilding take account ofpotential changes in climate?


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However, with temperaturespredicted to continue rising,design solutions such as enclosingwaste storage areas or alternativeenvironmental abatementtechniques may need to beconsidered.

Heating, cooling and energy use

Climate change may alter averageseasonal temperatures, which maylead to an increase in the amountof energy used for the heating andcooling of buildings. Ideally, thelayout of a building should takeadvantage of the benefits oflandscaping for summertimeshading, whilst allowing for theminimisation of heat loss duringthe winter.

External cladding materials canalso affect internal temperature.High mass such as brick andconcrete will release heat slowlyand can help to regulatetemperature, while lightermaterials such as wood and steelheat and cool quickly, making itmore difficult to controltemperature.

Facilities should be designed tomake use of and harness warmertemperatures. Building facilitiessuch as staff areas or server roomsshould be located away fromsouth facing aspects to minimisecooling requirements. Storageareas, stairwells and unoccupiedareas may be better situated inwarmer parts of the facility. Thisreduces requirements for windowsand cooling and provides optionsfor renewable energy to beincorporated within the design.

The choice of sites will need to beinfluenced by the potential impactsof such events. Specification ofbuilding materials and the abilityto withstand greater climaticfluctuations is also important.Mitigating secondaryenvironmental consequences ofclimate change through designmust be an importantconsideration.

Odours

With an increase in temperaturecomes a potential increase inodours. Waste may need to betreated more quickly to preventodour issues developing. Wastefacilities that are not entirelyenclosed (for example, wastetransfer stations and compostingfacilities) are the most vulnerableto odour issues as the temperatureincreases. Although currentsummertime maximumtemperatures are increasing, theyhave not yet warranted designchanges in these facilities.

‘As buildings generally have anexpected lifetime of between 20 and100 years, thinking about climatechange today, when planning newdevelopments for tomorrow, will help toensure a lasting legacy in the buildingstock. Buildings and their locationscould all be adversely affected byclimate change, including theirstructural integrity, external fabric,internal environment and serviceinfrastructure (e.g. drainage).’

Adapting to climate change: achecklist for development: Guidance

on designing developments in achanging climate (2005)

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Flood readiness

The floods in the summer of 2007were the most severe in decades.Although it may not be accurate toattribute these floods entirely toclimate change, we are told thatextreme weather events are morelikely to happen in the future. Thedesign process will need to allowfor flood provisions in areas whereflooding is likely and these mayinclude locations where there is noprevious history of flooding.

Facilities will need a drainagesystem that can cope with highlevels of rainfall and improvedattenuation of runoff. Traditionalflood event periods may need tobe reconsidered and highercapacity mitigation installed. Theincorporation of sustainable urbandrainage systems (SUDS) maypresent a solution. Potentialmeasures may include theincorporation of green roofs,soakaways and permeablepavements.

‘Climate change is causing sea levelsto rise and we can expect more winterstorms as well as more frequent andsevere tidal flooding. Intense rainfallwill also increase the risk of flashflooding from our rivers andoverflowing drainage systems.’

Building a better environment: A guide for developers (2006)

paragraph 2.2.1

Soil subsidence

The wetting and drying effect onsoil may cause subsidence issues,potentially affecting the structureof a building as rainfall andtemperature increases. This can beparticularly true for areas with claysoils. Developers may need tocarry out suitable investigations todetermine soil type and providedeeper foundations or piling toavoid subsidence issues whereparticular soils cannot be avoided.Additionally, root barriers mayneed to be incorporateddepending on surroundingvegetation.

‘Flood risk management includes theuse of flood defences, whereappropriate, but also recognises thatmore ‘managed flooding’ is essentialto meeting goals for biodiversity and tosustain good ecological status in riverand coastal systems. In future, societywill come to appreciate and value thepositive benefits of the river andcoastal ‘flood pulses’, whilesimultaneously developing improvedcoping strategies that will makecommunities resilient to the negativeimpacts of flooding.’

Flood Risk Management ResearchConsortium (FRMRC)


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cause water to infiltrate thebuilding. It is also important toconsider suitability of materials inexcessive temperatures as somemay blister, warp or soften. Thedesign of a building and choice ofmaterials will need to allow for theimpacts of these potential issues.

Property and structural damage

As the number and intensity ofstorms increase in the UK,damage to buildings is likely toincrease. Higher wind speeds, forexample, may increase thestructural design parameters stacksand other high structures, whileperiods of intense driving rain may

Do Don’t

� select sites carefully consideringthe proximity to water coursesand potential impact of extremeweather events

� maximise heat gain and lossthrough use of landscaping andbuilding materials.

� consider the type of soil toaccount for potential subsidenceissues

� consider techniques that reducethe risk of flooding, such aspermeable surfaces in car parks.

� limit the building design byexcluding alternative forms ofheating and cooling so they canbe added later when required

� allow the design or layout toincrease the risk of flooding

� install populated or IT areas insouth-facing aspects to reducecooling requirements.

Climate Change - Design Tips

ENERGENERGY AND WY AND WAATER RESOURCES TER RESOURCES

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The pressure on our finite energyand water resources is increasingas our climate is changing. Newlegislation is forcing us to makechanges in how we approach newdevelopment. Governmentlegislation is setting legally bindingtargets for carbon reductionsacross the UK and recent changesin national planning guidanceemphasises the important role ofplanning in delivering sustainabledevelopments.

The future is likely to bring furtherregulation, making it ever moreimportant for new waste facilities toincorporate energy and waterefficient design strategies thatreduce the impact of the facility,including its carbon footprint. Theoverall energy and water efficiencyof the development may bemeasured as part of an assessmentmethod such as BREEAM.


Gesher, near Dusseldorf, Germany

What is it?� An integrated waste facility in a rural setting incorporating

various mechanical and biological treatment processes.

Design Features� Incorporates a range of complementary building designs to

provide diversity and interest.� Extensive application of renewable energy; many of the

roofs are covered with photovoltaic cells and there are twowind turbines within the site.

� Variety of sculptures adjacent to the main access road formdistinctive features.

� Visitor centre to raise awareness and promote positive wastemanagement.

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and EGW

Key questions

� does the design of thebuilding incorporate energysaving or generation?

� have low carbon technologiesfor items such as lighting andplant been incorporated?

� has the design of the buildingmade use of south-facingaspects for harnessing energyavailable from the sun?

� does the design incorporatewater saving features?

Sustainable Urban DrainageStrategy

It is also essential to incorporatesurface water management, such asa sustainable urban drainagestrategy (SUDS), throughout thedesign process. SUDS can improvewater quality and prevent pollution,reduce the risk of flooding, andminimise the use of waterresources.

Examples of SUDS include:

� permeable surfaces

� living/green roofs made fromsedum or slow growing grassmixes

� rainwater harvesting and re-use

� ponds and wetlands

� pollution interceptors and greasetraps.

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Size of the building andbuilding type

The building dimensions andmaterials used in its constructionwill be a significant factor indetermining the energy and waterusage requirements of a facility.

There will not be a one size fits allsolution. Buildings for wastefacilities will be designed to containthe needs of the waste processactivity and scaled to fit the sizeand throughput of waste requiredto be treated. It will be important tostrike a balance between designingthe most appropriate size and typeof building with appropriatetechniques for achieving highenergy and water efficiencystandards.

A traditional steel portalconstruction building commonlyused for warehousing, industrial orlarge retail purposes will often besuitable for housing a range ofwaste process activities includingin-vessel composting, materialsrecovery, mechanical biologicaltreatment and some thermaltreatment technologies. The use ofreclaimed materials in newbuildings would be a good startingpoint for energy savings andresource efficiency.

‘Sustainable drainage is a designphilosophy that uses a range oftechniques to manage surface wateras close to its source as possible.’

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) - A guide for developers

‘The energy used in constructing,occupying and operating buildingsrepresents approximately 50% ofgreenhouse gas emissions in the UK’

Sustainable construction: position statement (2003)

Layout and use of the building

A waste treatment facility mayinclude a reception area, treatmentarea, offices, facilities foremployees and a visitor centre.Each of these areas will havedifferent energy and waterrequirements. Each use mayprovide an opportunity forcomplementary energy and waterefficiency strategies and it will beimportant to consider how one areamay benefit another. For example,grey water from employee facilitiesmay be used in the waste treatmentprocess, or excess heat generatedfrom office or waste treatmentequipment might be harnessed toreduce heating requirementselsewhere.

Location and orientation

The local climate at the site and theorientation of the building will havean influence on energy and watermanagement and should be afactor when designing the building.

The choice of materials used inconstruction will affect energyefficiency. For example, using adark coloured roof cladding in ahot climate will be less energyefficient than choosing a lightcoloured or reflective finish.

Other factors, such as orientingrooflights to maximise the use ofsunlight or incorporating solarwater heating or photovoltaics maybe relevant.

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Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury

What is it?� Waste recycling centre and transfer station/bulking facility in

an urban fringe setting.

Design Features� Incorporates a number of design features to reduce the

impact on the surrounding environment.� A ground source heat pump under the car park provides

heating for the office building.� Underground water storage tanks collect storm water run off

to help mitigate potential flooding.� Roof lights and opaque panels to maximise natural light.� Carefully considered design to fit within an established

employment area.� Strategic site, designed carefully to allow future expansion.

Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Shropshire County Council

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Certain locations may lendthemselves to the incorporation ofrenewable energy technologies.Wind turbines may be suitable inareas with high wind speeds.Equally, solar water heating,photovoltaics or a ground sourceheat pump may presentopportunities. Certain technologiesmay lend themselves to the

Do Don’t

� ensure energy and waterefficiency strategies areincorporated into the design fromthe outset.

� set minimum energy and waterefficiency requirements to informthe required design standards.

� harness process by-products suchas heat and steam elsewherewithin the facility.

� consider how the local climatecan maximise the energy andwater efficiency of the building.

� look at ways in which the internaland external layout of thebuilding might affect water andenergy efficiency.

� underestimate the difference thatsmall changes can make inoverall efficiency.

� waste energy or water. � allow preconceptions to eliminate

a potential strategy or technologyfrom the facility design.

� allow current BuildingRegulations to limit the efficiencyof your building.

Energy and Water Resources - Design Tips

incorporation of energy generationor combined heat and power(CHP). With CHP such anapproach is likely to be mostappropriate where an end user forenergy is located in close proximityto the proposed facility. This mayinfluence some of the strategicdecisions at the start of the designprocess.

Arriving at good solutions


Chapter 7: Design realisation

Overview 97Planning approval 97Other concents and approvals 97Design detail 98Tender evaluation 99Construction 99Stakeholders and liaison 99Design mitigation 100Adapability 102

Contents

95DESIGN REALISATION

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Images courtesy of Enviros Consulting and Tiru


Environmental Permits areadministered by the EnvironmentAgency and replace pollution,prevention and control (PPC)permits and waste managementlicences. A facility cannotcommence operations until thepermit is in place. It can bebeneficial to prepare the permitapplication in parallel with theplanning application (an approachrecommended in Planning PolicyStatement 23: Planning andPollution Control (2004)) as therewill be several common themesand the outputs from bothprocesses can inform the finaldesign. For example, thepermitting process may involveconsideration of best availabletechniques (BAT), which mayinfluence the proposed buildingenvelope, drainage proposals etc.

Planning approval

All planning permissions have anumber of conditions that willneed to be met prior to or duringthe detailed specification andconstruction phases. These mayinvolve the resolution of designdetail, or may relate to keyaspects of the development suchas the final agreement of specificcolours and materials. Someminor design elements of aproposed development may needto be considered afresh during thisstage e.g. the lighting strategy,landscaping, materials andcolours.

Monitoring of the postconstruction environmentalimpacts of the facility is oftenrequired and can be an indicatorof the effectiveness of someaspects of the facility design.

Other consents andapprovals

Other permissions or consents willbe required, depending on thescale, location and nature of theproposed development. The keypermissions are likely to relate toEnvironmental Permits, BuildingRegulations and the Construction,Design and Management (CDM)Regulations.


‘Design, construction, operation andmaintenance should not be consideredin isolation from one another. Designideas will provide better value whenthey are developed alongsideknowledge of construction options andan understanding of how to obtainvalue from the whole supply chain,including manufacturers. Constructorsare best placed to contribute their ownexpertise when they are involved in thedevelopment of the early designconcepts… The principle is simple: theclient and the supply team workingtogether can reduce waste, improvequality, innovate and deliver a projectmore effectively than if the parties arein a fragmented relationship that maybe adversarial.’

Design Quality: Achieving Excellencein Construction Procurement Guide

(2007)

Overview

Planning permission is not theend of the design process.Design input will still be requiredto ensure that the intentionspresented in the planningapplication are translatedthrough the detailedspecification and constructionprocess. It is accepted practicefor development proposals to gothrough a further stage of designiteration after planning approval.Planning authorities typicallyallow some flexibility on thepermitted design. The design ofa development should notchange significantly during theconstruction phase and it isimportant that the approveddesign is not diluted.

This chapter outlines wheredesign input may still berequired when the projectprogresses beyond a successfulplanning application. It examinesissues that may arise duringevaluation of tenders and duringconstruction itself.

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on the proposed site anddevelopment they may includeland drainage consents(sometimes referred to as flooddrainage consents), dischargeconsents and those associatedwith the temporary or permanentdiversion of public rights of way.

Design detail

The construction phase will alwaysrequire detailed design. Thisshould build on, rather thandepart from the principles set outin the original planningapplication.

This stage in the project mayrequire the undertaking ofadditional specific survey work toascertain detail that would havebeen costly or inappropriate tocarryout earlier when there was arisk that a development might notobtain planning permission. Suchsurveys are likely to focus onground conditions andgeotechnical analysis that feedsinto the construction detail. Amore limited analysis should havealready been undertaken toestablish development feasibility(and assumptions made on this).However a greater degree ofdetail is likely to be required toenable construction to take placee.g. nature and detail offoundation design.

This stage in the process requiresthe preparation of detailedarchitectural and engineeringdrawings of all elements of theproposed development. This willbe a complex stage in the process

The Building Regulations apply tomost new buildings and alterationsto existing buildings. Theresponsibility for meeting themrests with the person carrying outthe building work and/or theowner of the building. They willtypically apply during construction,but it is important to consider anypotential implications earlier in thedesign process. It would beprudent to make an applicationand obtain approval prior toconstruction starting. It may alsobe advisable to employ aspecialist advisor on the BuildingRegulations during the designprocess. Approved inspectors canalso pass plans, inspect works onsite and issue approval noticesupon completion.

The development will also besubject to the CDM Regulations,which are enforced by the Healthand Safety Executive (HSE). Theseregulations are applicablethroughout the design andconstruction phases of a project,so need to be considered early inthe design process. They placehealth and safety responsibilitiesand duties on almost everyoneinvolved in construction. A CDMcoordinator must be appointed toadvise the client on projects thatlast more than 30 days or involve500 person days of constructionwork. Their role is to advise theclient on health and safety issuesduring the design and planningphases of construction work.

Other permissions and consentsmay also be important to thedelivery of a new wastemanagement facility. Depending

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Construction

The construction of a waste facilitycan be at least as complex as thedesign stages that preceded it.The degree of complexity dependson the type of facility beingdeveloped. However, it isimportant to acknowledge thatwhen a development moves fromthe design stage to constructionthe main aim is to realise theproposed development within apre-determined time frame and toan agreed cost. It may be arguedthat this shift in emphasis candumb down the influence ofdesign, but the original objectivesshould be delivered in thecompleted facility.

All elements of design detail willneed to be resolved at theconstruction stage. These changesshould be minor in the context ofthe overall development. Anysignificant changes may requireamendments to the planningpermission. It would be prudent toliaise closely with the localplanning authority if designchanges are required.

Stakeholders andliaison

Design team - contractorinterface

The most significant element atthis stage is likely to be therelationship between the designteam and the contractor. It isimportant that those constructingthe facility can translate the design

and liaison between the architectand relevant engineers (forexample, construction, processmechanical and electricalengineers) will be necessary toarrive at the desired outcome.

Tender evaluation

The tender evaluation process bythe client will often focus ontechnical aspects of the facility butevaluation of design quality canbe equally important todeliverability, value for money andfitness for purpose criteria.

For municipal waste managementproposals, this step will often beapplied to the evaluation ofproposals to deliver a service ratherthan simply the construction of asingle building or site. However,common principles will apply whenassessing the quality of bids andvalue for money issues.

When evaluating tenders,consideration should be given tothe following criteria:

� deliverability

� design flexibility

� life cycle cost

� quality of innovation

� use of materials

� design image and quality ofresulting environment

� efficiency of design.

Images courtesy of Enviros Consultingand Tiru

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In many instances, particularly inthe case of large-scale facilities, itmay be appropriate to establish acommunity liaison mechanism.This would provide a clear linkbetween the facility and the localcommunity, and promote opencommunication.

Design mitigation

Considerate construction

It is important that constructionoperations take place in a waythat respects the neighbouringcommunity. Whilst not directly adesign issue it is important that theprogramme for delivery factors insuch considerations. TheConsiderate Constructors Schemeis a national initiative, establishedby the construction industry, toimprove its image. If new wastefacilities can be constructed in away that respects the neighbouringcommunity they will get off to thebest possible start.

Construction sites that register withthe scheme sign up to and aremonitored against a Code ofConsiderate Practice. This codehas been designed to encouragebest practice beyond statutoryrequirements. It is concerned withany area of construction activitythat may have a direct or indirectimpact on the image of theindustry as a whole. The primaryareas of concern can be dividedinto three main categories: theenvironment; the workforce; andthe general public.

team’s drawings to construction onthe ground. There needs to be agood working relationshipbetween all concerned with theproject. It is likely that the designwill need to be applied carefully totake account of changing orunforeseen circumstances.

Ideally the interface between thedesign team and the contractorshould have started while thedesign was being prepared and, ifso, the implementation of thedesign solution may be relativelystraightforward.

The extent of liaison at thedetailed design stage can dependon the approach to procurement,which can throw up challenges.For example, if a facility has beendesigned without the considerationof very specific equipment, thedesign solution for the buildingmay need to evolve toaccommodate a particulartechnology at a later stage. Thismay in turn trigger the need tomodify the planning permission,depending on the degree ofchange required.

Community liaison

Waste management is almostalways a sensitive subject and newfacilities often meet with a degreeof local opposition. As discussedearlier in this guide, consultationshould be embedded in the designprocess, but this should not stopwhen the facility is permitted orindeed when it has been deliveredon the ground.

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Images courtesy of Tiru, RecycleNow andConsiderate Constructors Scheme

‘THE CODE OF CONSIDERATE PRACTICE

ConsiderateAll work is to be carried out with positive consideration to the needs of tradersand businesses, site personnel and visitors, and the general public. Specialattention is to be given to the needs of those with sight, hearing and mobilitydifficulties.

EnvironmentBe aware of the environmental impact of your site and minimise as far aspossible the effects of noise light and air pollution. Efforts should be made toselect and use local resources wherever possible. Attention should be paid towaste management. Reuse and recycle materials where possible.

CleanlinessThe working site is to be kept clean and in good order at all times. Sitefacilities, offices, toilets and drying rooms should always be maintained to agood standard. Surplus materials and rubbish should not be allowed toaccumulate on the site or spill over into the surroundings. Dirt and dust fromconstruction operations should be kept to a minimum.

Good neighbourGeneral information regarding the Scheme should be provided for allneighbours affected by the work. Full and regular communication withneighbours, including adjacent residents, traders and businesses, regardingprogramming and site activities should be maintained from pre-start tocompletion.

RespecttfulRespectable and safe standards of dress should be maintained at all times.Lewd or derogatory behaviour and language should not be tolerated underthreat of severe disciplinary action. Pride in the management and appearanceof the site and the surrounding environment is to be shown at all times.Operatives should be instructed in dealing with the general public.

SafeConstruction operations and site vehicle movements are to be carried outwith care and consideration for the safety of site personnel, visitors and thegeneral public. No building activity should be a security risk to others.

ResponsibleEnsure that everyone associated with the site understands implements andcomplies with this code.

AccountableThe Considerate Constructors Scheme poster is to be displayed where clearlyvisible to the general public. A site’s contact details should be obvious toanyone affected by its activities.’

Considerate Constructors Scheme

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construction environmentalmanagement plan (CEMP). Thisdocument will set out thebackground to the proposal andits setting, core environmentalmanagement objectives, criteriarelevant to construction and themitigation measures proposed aspart of the environmental impactassessment process. This may besuperseded by a siteenvironmental management plan(SEMP) once the facility isoperating.

Adaptability

In certain circumstances it may beappropriate to add certainelements to a waste managementfacility once it is operating. Thismay be in response to changes inoperations within the facility,changes to the setting of the site(such as the construction of newhomes in close proximity), orchanges to environmentalregulation or best practice. Eitherway there may be ways toovercome such issues, for exampleodour suppression or air extractionsystems to mitigate impacts.

It is also possible that a degree oftesting may be required at theearly stages of a newdevelopment. Does a theoreticaldesign solution also work inpractice? In the majority of casesthe proposed design solution willalready be tried and tested. Thekey facility types where the designsolution may need to be testedand adapted are those with apublic interface, for example civicamenity sites.

Environmental and site wastemanagement plans

The potential environmentalimpacts associated with manywaste management facilities willhave been assessed as part of theplanning process. This shouldhave been an integral part of thedesign process, with predictedimpacts leading to design iterationand incorporating mitigationmeasures into the final solution.As these will have formed a formalpart of the planning application itis important that they feed throughinto the construction phase.

Following the implementation ofthe Site Waste Management PlansRegulations 2008, all constructionprojects with a value in excess of£300,000 are required to have asite waste management plan. Theaim is to ensure that wastegeneration within the project isminimised and, where it cannot beminimised, that waste isrecovered, recycled or if necessarydisposed of in an environmentallysound manner. The contents of theplan, including the selectedrecycling and recovery routes,should be reviewed periodically toensure that no opportunities tominimise the environmental impactof development are missed. Theplan should be a dynamicdocument and will change overthe length of the project,particularly when any alterationsto the design are made.

Depending on the circumstancesand scale of the proposeddevelopment it may beappropriate to prepare a

Chapter 8: The final word

Achieving good practice


103THE FINAL WORD

Overview 105The final word 105

Contents

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105THE FINAL WORD

However, there are also manyissues that are specific to wastemanagement. Not least amongstthem is the need to change publicperception of the industry. Theimage of a modern, vibrant wasteand resource managementindustry, in tune with thecommunity it serves and the widerenvironment, will be achieved ifthese and similar designaspirations are embraced.Designers and decision makersshould grasp this opportunity andnot shrink away from thechallenge. They should not betempted to perpetuate mediocrityand in so doing create a blandarchitectural pastiche.

The temptation to include adetailed checklist or method forassessing design in this documenthas been resisted. Good design isabout a philosophy, a process anda way of thinking and not justmanuals and checklists. Indeedwithin a fast changing world wherevalues are changing, designchecklists can only have anephemeral existence.

Design almost always raises manyquestions and challenges. It isimportant that these are embracedas part of the overall deliveryprocess. More can and should beachieved and if we are to raise thebar in waste management practicegood design must be integral to asuccessful waste facility project.

The final word

Influencing design outcomes is acomplex process. The definition ofgood design and the process bywhich it can be evaluated willcontinuously evolve and change.Some aspects of design are highlysubjective and will always beassociated with a particular timeand place, which is how wemaintain a sense of place anddistinctiveness in our surroundings.Critical components of design areappropriateness to context andquality. However, many of thefollowing principles will alsoapply:

� good design is inspired by goodpolicy

� plan for a sustainableenvironment

� design for future generationsand not just short term needs

� consider whole life costs andbenefits when specifying desireddesign outcomes

� respect the perceived norms ofdesign, but do not necessarily bebound by them.

These principles apply to a widerange of design agendas, not justwaste management, and reflectmany of the core themes runningthrough current urban designthinking and associatedpublications.


Overview

This guide aims to provideshape and context toimproving standards ofdesign within the wastemanagement developmentsector. Prompting a diversereadership to think about thefundamental valuesassociated with good designis the main objective.Responsibility for gooddesign will ultimately restwith the client. However, it iscritical that all involved inthe delivery process areaware of the role that theyplay in design and how theirdecisions can influence theproject outcome.

106 REFERENCES

Chapter OneWaste Strategy 2007, Defra

Planning Policy Statement 10: Planning for Sustainable Waste Management, ODPM (2005)

Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, ODPM (2005)

Chapter TwoBetter Public Building, CABE and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2006)

Better Civic Buildings and Spaces, CABE (2002)



Waste Strategy 2007, Defra

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004)

Circular 01/06 (CLG): Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System, CLG (2006)

Strategy for Sustainable Development, HM Government in association with Strategic Forum forConstruction (2008)

Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning, Communities and Local Government(2008)

Planning for Sustainable Waste Management: A Companion Guide to Planning PolicyStatement 10, CLG (2006)

Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning PolicyStatement 1, CLG (2007)

Barker Review of Land Use Planning, HM Treasury (2006)

The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, A Report to California’s SustainableBuilding Task Force (October 2003)

Chapter ThreeImproving Standards of Design in the Procurement of Public Buildings, CABE and OGC (2002)

Creating Excellent Buildings: A Guide for Clients, CABE (2003)



Outline Plan of Work, Royal Institute of British Architects (2007)

Making Design Policy Work: How to Deliver Good Design Through Your Local DevelopmentFramework, CABE (2005)

Reclaimed Building Materials in the Development of the Thames Gateway, BioRegionalReclaimed (January 2006)


The Validation of Planning Applications: Guidance for Local Planning Authorities, CLG (2007)

Reclamation Led Approach to Demolition, BioRegional Development Group (2007)

Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme Planning Systems Guidance, Defra (2007)

Chapter FourGetting Value for Money from Construction Projects Through Design, National Audit Office(2004)

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107REFERENCES

ReferencesDESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a key guide to modern design in waste

Environment Protection Act (1990)

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (2005)

Chapter FivePlanning Policy Statement 10: Planning for Sustainable Waste Management, ODPM (2005)



Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement1, Communities and Local Government (2007)

By Design - Urban Design in the Planning System: Towards Better Practice, DETR and CABE (2000)

Better Places to Live By Design: A Companion Guide to PPG3, DETR and CABE (2001)

Safer Places: The Planning System and Crime Prevention, ODPM (2004)

Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Practice Guide, ODPM (2003)


The Regional Spatial Strategy, South West Regional Assembly (2006)

A Design Statement for Cornwall, Cornwall County Council (2002)

North West Regional Waste Strategy, North West Regional Assembly (2004)

Lancashire’s Municipal Waste Management Strategy 2001-2020, Lancashire County Council (2001)

Chapter SixDesign and Access Statements: How to Write, Read and Use Them, CABE (2006)

The Validation of Planning Applications: Guidance for local planning authorities, CLG (2007)

Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement1, CLG (2007)

Urban Design Compendium, Llewelyn-Davies (2007)



Planning Policy Guidance 2: Green Belts, ODPM (1995)

Circular 01/06 (Communities and Local Government): Guidance on Changes to the DevelopmentControl System, CLG (2006)

Green Guide to Specification, BRE (2002)

Adapting to Climate Change: A Checklist for Development, Greater London Authority (2005)

Building a Better Environment: A Guide for Developers, Environment Agency (2006)

Sustainability: Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement Guide (11), OGC (2007)

Report on Carbon Reductions in New Non-Domestic Buildings, CLG (2007)

Sustainable Construction: Position Statement, Environment Agency (2003)

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) - Guidance, Environment Agency

Chapter SevenDesign Quality: Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement Guide (9), OGC(2007)

Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and pollution control, ODPM (2004)

Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008

108 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Designing Waste Facilities: A Key Guide to Modern Design in Waste has been preparedfor defra by Enviros Consulting Ltd. Many individuals and organisations have assistedin the compilation and production of this report and we are very grateful for all theinputs received. Key inputs to the project have been received from members of thesteering group and peer review panel.

Steering groupTim Dice (Defra), Peter Ellis (CLG), Tom Jestico (CABE representative), Chris Saville(Environment Agency), Adrian Jones (Environment Agency), Richard Read (HampshireCounty Council), Wayne Hubbard (Greater London Assembly), Bruce Braithwaite(Staffordshire County Council), Simon Aumonier (ERM), Kirsten Berry (ERM), NaushadTahsildar (ERM)

Peer review panelLinda Crichton (WRAP), Chris Murphy (CIWM), Paul Borrett (Norfolk County Council),John Woodruff (London Borough of Bromley), Ray Greenall (Hertfordshire CountyCouncil), Jane Gilbert (Association for Organics Recycling)

Other contributorsJonathan Davies (Enviros), Mark Savage (Savage and Chadwick Architects), BarthélémyFourment (Tiru), Herbert Heindl (Fernwärme Wien), Kay Backeshoff (EGW), FionaMacIntosh (PPS Group), Julian Gaylor (Envac), Natalie Northfield (ELRC), Joanna Dixon(Veolia), Clare L Froggatt (Veolia), Kelly Booth (Veolia), Wendy Lord (London Waste),Garry Stewart (Studio E Architects), Matthew Colledge (Studio E Architects), HilaryKendrick (Considerate Constructors Scheme), Steve Entwistle (Greater ManchesterWaste), Jonathan Garnham (JCB Sales Ltd).

A number of other people have assisted throughout the preparation of this documentand we would like to extend our thanks to everyone that has helped.

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Lead client John Enright

Principal Authors Tim Hammond,

Simon Myers

Documents

DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste · 2019-04-15 · CONTENTS DESIGNING WASTE FACILITIES a guide to modern design in waste Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter