Building sustainably in Bristol

Background

Building more sustainably will help us to reduce our carbon emissions, bring down energy bills and promote improved health and wellbeing.  Promoting sustainable building design and construction is an important part of the Bristol Green Capital project to make Bristol a low carbon city with a high quality of life.

The city council has a longstanding commitment to sustainable building by:

• working with developers applying for planning permission to make designs more sustainable
• setting high standards for our own building projects
• providing advice and information to professionals and the general public

Bristol City Council publications:

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Sustainable Building Design and Construction - SPD5

Sustainable Building Design and Construction
Supplementary Planning Document 5, adopted February 2006

This publication is part of the Local Development Framework which is used as a basis for deciding on planning applications. The document covers five key objectives, to:

• reduce overall energy use and maximise potential for renewable energy supply and use
  
• minimise waste and maximise reuse and recycling both during construction and after occupation
  
• conserve water resources, enhance water quality, incorporate water sensistive design and minimise vulnerability to flooding
  
• minimise pollution to water, air and soil and minimise noise and light pollution
  
• maximise use of materials from sustainable sources

Applicants for large developments are asked to submit a sustainability statement setting out how they have addressed these issues.

The guidance is also a resource for anyone interested in building sustainably, with extensive advice and sources of further information for each topic.

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Sustainable Development and Construction – Advice for small builders and householders.

This is for householders or builders working on small scale projects, including extensions and loft conversions. The leaflet offers tips on working in an eco-friendly way, and sources of further information.

Sustainable Development and Construction – Advice for small builders and householders

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Renewable energy and your home

Concerns about climate change and rising energy prices are prompting more people to consider installing renewable energy technology in their homes.

• Do you need to apply for planning permission?
• Is there funding available?
• And what might you need to consider?

This leaflet provides an introduction to how things work in Bristol. Find out more.

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Eco-refurbishment and the historic environment

Bristol’s unique character owes much to the quality and diversity of historic buildings within the city.   It is possible to improve the energy efficiency of buildings which are listed or in conservation areas, and respect the building’s integrity.   This leaflet offers suggestions of how this can be done, and sources of further information.
 Find out more

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Sustainable building examples

Here are a few examples:

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Building Schools for the Future

New schools built in the city by the Bristol Local Education Partnership as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme reach high standards of sustainability.  All these schools achieve a score of at least ‘very good’ through the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.  Sustainable features include:

• high thermal mass and natural ventilation
• high levels of insulation and energy efficiency
• rainwater harvesting
• biomass boilers
• low water use fittings
• intelligent lighting

All the schools also have a School Travel Plan to reduce car use and improve safety.
The school pictured here, Bristol Brunel Academy, received a RIBA award for design in 2008.

Useful link:
www.bristollep.co.uk

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Bordeaux Quay, Harbourside

Bordeaux Quay provides a restaurant, brasserie, bar, deli, bakery and cookery school in a building originally built as a dock warehouse at Harbourside, and the design is an inspiring example of the imaginative re-use and eco-refurbishment of an existing building.   

Sustainable features include:

• Forestry Stewardship Council certificated timber
• rainwater harvesting
• recycled construction materials
• solar thermal hot water
• heat recovery and recirculation

A dedicated sustainability manager was appointed to oversee sourcing and management, and reduce waste.  There is an extensive recycling system, and most food is sourced locally.

Bordeaux Quay

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Ashley Vale Action Group, St Werburghs

This is a self build project, to promote imaginative and environmentally sensitive housing on the site of a former scaffolding yard.

The self-builders are committed to jointly agreed principles of ecological design, although individual houses vary.   All the houses are timber-framed, which provides easy construction and a lighter load on the concrete slab which covers the site. The houses are finished using an agreed palette of materials, including wood cladding or render for the walls, with copper, clay or slate tiles on the roofs. Some houses are fitted with photovoltaic panels to generate electricity - funded in part by a government grant.  Home zone features have been added to the neighbourhood to create a safe and welcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Ashley Vale Action Group

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CREATE Ecohome

The Ecohome - pictured here - was built at CREATE to demonstrate what can be done to produce buildings with a low environmental impact.

Within the Ecohome is an extensive sustainable construction library, with information on materials and suppliers; a range of publications for sale; changing exhibitions; a trail for children; a video on the buildings of the Ecohome and internet access for researching green construction.

The CREATE Ecohome

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Contacts, resources and links

Printed copies of the publications above can be provided on request, and we welcome feedback and comments. To contact us:

Telephone 0117 922 4489
Email sustainability@bristol.gov.uk
Fax 0117 922 4380

Sustainable City Team
CREATE Centre
Smeaton Road
Bristol
BS1 6XN

Sustainability home page

Useful links:

• AECB – the Sustainable Building Association
• Green Register – training and professionals in sustainable building– training and professionals in sustainable building
• Climate Change and your Home – English Heritage and e.on
• Community Sustainable Energy Programme
• Low Carbon Buildings Programme
• Architecture Centre – for a better quality built environment
• Bristol Wood Recycling Project – recycled wood materials
• GreenSpec – guide to sustainable materials, buildings and technologies
  

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