Proposed BREEAM scheme to cover whole communities, eco-towns project faces judicial review
BREEAM is developing a new version of its environmental assessment standard to measure the overall impact of a development rather than individual buildings, reported Building magazine.
When implemented, probably early next year, the BREEAM Communities standard will see developments with more than one building assessed to gauge their social and economic impact on an area, as well as the environmental performance of the structures.
Apart from helping developers get their projects through planning, the standard should encourage them to utilise community heating and power systems and promote a mix of building types.
Contract Journal (CJ) reported that the future of the government's eco-town project could be in jeopardy after a judge ruled that the entire programme should go before the High Court.
In reponse to an application by lobby group Better Access Responsible Development, Honorable Justice Collins ruled that a full judicial review of the programme should go ahead.
Stephen Turnbull, a planning lawyer at LG, told CJ that the judicial review could put the entire programme at risk.
Source
Construction Manager
