Policy CC/CE: Reducing waste and supporting the circular economy

Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy (2018) aims to eliminate avoidable wastes of all types by 2050 in England.  This includes waste from all sectors, including construction.  The construction sector is the largest user of materials in the UK and produces the biggest waste stream in terms of tonnage.  Statistics from Defra show that in 2016, 63% (120 million tonnes) of the total waste stream in England (189 million tonnes) was attributed to construction, demolition and excavation waste, with 60 million tonnes of this (50%) from construction and demolition.  Of this over 90% is recovered, with waste such as concrete, brick and asphalt being downcycled for future use as aggregates. However this does beg the question how much of this waste is avoidable and could such waste be reused for higher value uses? This would help to prevent the need for the manufacture of new materials, which is an important element in achieving net zero carbon. Furthermore efficient recycling of waste places less demands on natural and virgin resources, thereby conserving environments.

A circular economy is one where materials are retained in use at their highest value for as long as possible and are then reused or recycled, leaving a minimum of residual waste.  Application of circular economy principles to the built environment creates places where buildings are designed for adaptation, reconstruction and deconstruction, extending the useful life of buildings and allowing for the salvage of building components and materials for reuse or recycling, known as design for disassembly. Policies to extend the useful life of buildings as well as ensuring that, at the end of a buildings life, its constituent parts are easily reused and retain maximum value, are also an important element of reducing the environmental impact of construction.  Taking such an approach reduces the need to extract raw materials and the manufacture of new building components, further reducing global carbon emissions and assisting with the achievement of net zero carbon. 

In the First Conversation we asked about how the

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

should help us achieve net zero carbon by 2050. Feedback of relevance to this policy included that we should consider a circular economy and require new developments to provide a Circular Economy Statement. We should support development that prioritises resource efficiency. Other issues were highlighted including the need to invest in innovative technologies for dealing with waste, and to improve recycling and use recyclable packaging materials in shops and for development.

No policy, leave to the Minerals and Waste Plan - This is not the preferred approach as the Minerals and Waste Plan does not give consideration to construction waste and as such there would be a policy gap in relation to this important element of achieving net zero carbon. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

   Net Zero Carbon Study (2021) 

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan (2021)  

• RECAP Waste Management Design Guide (2012) 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 2: Climate Change 

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 

• Policy CC/6: Construction Methods 

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 

• Policy 28: Carbon reduction, community energy networks, sustainable design and construction and water use. 

• Policy 57: Designing new buildings 

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.