Planning for Climate Change - Design
Consultation on Limited Revisions to Technical Advice Note 12: Design

Please find below the introduction the the RICS Wales response to the consultation on Planning for Climate Change - Design

For the full document please click the link to the right.

RICS Wales fully supports good design as a main tool in delivering sustainable development and agrees that it is a major factor in sustaining a positive image for Wales. RICS Wales also agrees that design which is inappropriate or fails to take opportunities available to improve the character and quality of an area and the way it functions should not be accepted. Good design can protect and enhance environmental quality and improve quality of life. 

Paragraph 1.5 to the Introduction is noted which recognises the difference between the building regulations and design but emphasises the need for a match between the two. This has particular resonance in Wales where efforts are being made for the building regulations to be devolved. It is important that design promotes the efficient use of resources and maximises energy efficiency. 

A general query arising from this paper is the relevance to property classes. There are differences between design features for residential and commercial buildings and it is not clear what constitutes new development in the context of this paper. Whether it applies to just residential or just commercial or to both. This should be clarified. 

For all policy queries and comments please contact John Harper, RICS Wales Policy Officer on +44(0)029 2022 4414 or jharper@rics.org