PLI version Southport Seafront SPG - Sefton Council

4.4) Sustainable Design and Construction:
The Seafront’s exposed marine location, orientation and the intensity of public
use are factors which should influence both the design of individual buildings
and works to improve the public realm. Development will also be expected to
make better use of resources, including materials, energy and water. The
scale and character of the Seafront provides a chance to experiment with new
and different structures and materials and gives scope for designing ‘low
impact’ buildings which could become attractions in their own right. All
proposals must take the following factors into account in their design in terms
of site layout, overall building design, choice of materials and landscaping:
• Exposure to marine conditions including prevailing westerly winds, moist
salt-laden air and blowing sand
• The SW-NE orientation and the need for sun traps and wind shelter, as
well as making the best of views to and from the Seafront
• Intensive use by large numbers of people means special attention must
be paid to prevention of litter, ease of cleansing and collection of waste
• Designs must consider all aspects of security and safety
• The need to improve all-weather use through canopies, arcades and other
forms of shelter as part of development design
• The need for attractive lighting to enhance evening use, but avoiding light
nuisance
• Improving the economic performance of buildings through energy
efficiency techniques, making good use of the local climate through
passive solar and natural ventilation, as well as other measures including
small-scale renewables
• Choice of materials to suit local conditions and help reduce environmental
impact
• Limiting demand for water through installation of appropriate equipment
including grey water reuse systems
• Reducing stormwater drainage by minimising run-off at source using
green roofs, permeable surfaces, and using sustainable drainage systems
• Plant material in landscaping schemes should be well adapted to local
conditions and must support biodiversity objectives
• Good signage and information is important for the working of the Seafront
as a whole and must be an integral part of development design
5. Urban Design framework
5.1) Introduction:
The Seafront Masterplan proposed an urban design framework (Appendix 5)
which is used in this SPG as the basis for the overall spatial structure and
urban design principles for the Seafront. This section therefore
• identifies the Seafront public realm,
• sets out the urban design principles,
• describes the proposals and objective for improving (a) the Seafront’s
greenspaces and (b) its access framework,
• proposes a hierarchy of landmarks in the Seafront.