Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

5.14.17 There is still a need to manage demand for water in an area which iswater-stressed. As a result, the Water Cycle Study recommended that:• All new homes should be built to level 3/4 of the Code for SustainableHomes in terms of water use (105 litres per person per dayconsumption);• A small percentage of new homes, e.g. 5%, should be built to level 5/6of the Code for Sustainable Homes in terms of water use, possibly asexemplars (80 litres per person per day consumption);• Retro-fitting be promoted, where it is cost effective, to offset aproportion of the demand from new development; and• New non-household developments should meet the BREEnvironmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'excellent' rating forwater efficiency, and the collection of rainwater should beimplemented.5.14.18 The Council's strategy is to minimise water use by requiring newdevelopments, to meet the suggested standards for water efficiency in newdevelopments. Within existing housing stock and where it is not possible tomeet the above standards on development sites, the Council will supportretrofitting of water efficiency measures within existing residential properties.Carbon Reduction5.14.19 The Core Strategy seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsthrough the appropriate location and design of future development in theBorough. The NPPF requires local planning authorities to support energyefficiency improvements to existing buildings and to take into account theGovernment's zero carbon buildings policy and national standards whensetting local requirements for building sustainability. The aim is to movetowards zero carbon development and to reduce the overall carbon footprintof the Borough.5.14.20 To help increase the use and supply of renewable and low carbonenergy, the NPPF states that local planning authorities should:180