Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

5.14.24 An Eco Assessment for Kent Thameside was completed in 2010 tounderstand the potential for renewable and low carbon energy in the area andto identify how this could be realised. This made the following key points:• Consideration should be given to the renewable and low carbon heatpotential of the key sites and the town centre;• It highlights the opportunities where stand-alone low carbon andrenewable energy technologies might be exploited, e.g. wind energy;• There is the opportunity for a Kent Thameside microgenerationinitiative to promote the installation of small scale renewable energytechnology. Particular reference is made to the opportunity to create abiomass hub at Northfleet Embankment East as part of developmentproposals; and• It recommends that local standards exceeding or introduced inadvance of changes to the Building Regulations would not beappropriate and a Supplementary Planning Document on sustainabledesign and construction to facilitate the transition to zero carbon homes/ buildings should be produced instead.5.14.25 In relation to the final point, the Sustainability Appraisal recommendedthat the policy should include BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homestargets, as well as water demand management.5.14.26 The evidence shows that the key sites and the town centre havepotential for incorporating renewable and low carbon technology. As a result,the Council's strategy is to require the key sites to consider the potential andinclude proposals for low carbon and renewable energy generation, includingcombined heat and power. This should be justified by the submission ofevidence.5.14.27 The Council also supports proposals for stand-alone decentralised,renewable or low carbon energy development. The pressure for suchdevelopment is likely to be in the rural area of the Borough and thesedevelopments can have an impact on landscape character, particularly in thenationally important Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As aresult, proposals will need to take into account other policies in this plan, in182