Clearly, there will be greater scope and need to address more of the issues with larger and more complicated development proposals. However, the checklist will serve as structured and detailed approach to the consideration of development and to allow for the creative application of design issues.

• ecological sites, wildlife areas, habitats, drainage regimes

• carry out biodiversity survey;
• conservation of existing woodlands, copse and hedgerows;
• promote green corridors within development; and
• promote indigenous planting, habitat creation to reinforce landscape structure for carbon fixing, windbreaks, local flora and fauna for character.

• avoid floodable areas
• use of capacity in existing supply and ground water abstraction

Maximise sustainable disposal:

• avoid excessive surface run-off
• use of capacity in surface and foul drainage systems
• conserve natural drainage regimes

• identify flood plains, potential for use as water storage, habitats, recreation, reed bed technology;
• identify technical supply capacity; and
• potential for dual supplies of ‘white’ and grey systems.
   

• investigate on and off site solutions for run-off storage for slow release/filtration habitat creation, natural cleansing;
• incorporate permeable hard surfaces for slow filtration (assess natural porosity of land);
• identify technical capacity and potential for other forms of treatment e.g. reed bed technology; and
• identify, incorporate and enhance natural drainage regimes within overall design to reinforce local landscape setting, structure and biodiversity.

• of derelict/underused land

Conserve:

• high grade soils/high quality agricultural land; and
• areas of high intensity food production.

• unstable, contaminated land, need for "cut and fill" construction; and
• recyclable or virgin mineral resources.

• landform potential for solar design; and
• views, viewpoints, ridgelines.

• positively include derelict, underused land for development or restoration for local benefit.
  
   

• identify agricultural land quality and micro-variations for areas of potential allotments, garden areas or local food production (by local trust or co-operative);
• consider potential for non-development uses ( planting, woodland);
• identify land forms/slopes with potential for passive solar gain; and
• establish particular desired view features into development (e.g. landmark buildings, landscape features) and out of development to influence layout or structure. Identify ridgelines for possible restriction of development (e.g. possibly because of excessive winds, thermal inefficiency and visual effect on development).

• of excessive levels of existing or potential air/noise pollution;
• of vibration;
• with natural barriers.

• by proposed development.

• identify potential pollutants and wider sources which might influence development layout and location of uses (Health and Safety Executive, Environmental Health);
• safeguard existing tree lines, structural hedgerows, landform features which block or filter pollution/winds; and
• consider location, scale and intensity of uses which would generate pollution or environmental aggravation to established (existing) development.

• to facilities (schools, shops, open spaces employment etc);
• for walking/cycling and infrastructure, within and beyond development; and
• good public transport integration.

• identify existing and planned off-site facilities( "attractors") for potential movement corridors and desired linkage to facilities within development. Movement corridors to strongly inform the structure of development for location of facilities, mixed uses, open space network and pedestrian accessibility to facilities (optimum 400 yards walking distance).

• in favour of building and pedestrian dominated development;
• with built-in traffic calming; and
• to the minimum necessary, with a logical hierarchy.

• identify the most efficient, direct and attractive pedestrian and cycle corridors within the topography of the site;
• integrate walking / cycling routes with ‘overlooking’housing for informal surveillance and to reinforce the perception of safety;
• combine routes with green corridors / open space network;
• explore potential for developer contributions for pedestrian/cycling network beyond site to enhance
• linkage to facilities etc;
• secure the earliest involvement of public transport operators as basic part of design process to inform infrastructure provision and integration with facilities, establish developer contribution for operation of services from the earliest time in the build period;
• design the public transport network and associated facilities to guide the location of higher housing densities (e.g. densities graded away from facilities);
• location of facilities and services (retail, service trades etc) concentrated around public transport ‘nodes’;
• adopt a design culture for promoting a building and pedestrian dominated environment foremost which relegates the provision of roads and car related infrastructure to the minimum necessary and which promotes streets;
• provide for in-built traffic calming by frequent changes in horizontal road alignment as basic design principle.

• (i.e. short lengths of roads up to 60m with a significant change of direction) for 20mph speed limit reinforced by building configurations and which promote townscape, visual and architectural interest; and
• provide legible hierarchy of roads which creates a network to allow for directness of route (less car travel time) but deviation from route to accommodate pedestrian priority facilities.

• potential for District Heating combined heat and power;
• energy targets for building design; and
• potential for passive solar design.

• assess location, density and range of nearby existing uses for technical potential to introduce district heating etc. (in association with energy agencies/LA21 forums);
• establish desired minimum targets for energy efficient building construction with appropriate bodies; and
• site topography and landscape structure to indicate areas for future solar design and building orientations (selected to building type e.g. terraces, detached) and areas of existing potential shelter.

• adopt an analytical approach to the assessment of natural resources and energy/movement issues which will
• inform the general locations for uses. Development may provide several options for a structure and benefits and
• ‘trade-offs’,should be assessed to provide different overall measurements for sustainability;
• creation of a strong and well-defined physical structure for development will provide the basis for strong character;
• a concept plan and masterplan will provide basic locations for uses by identifying energy efficient networks, public transport integration, areas or locations for mixed uses, facilities and density structure; and
• provide for appropriate and considered relationships (physical and uses) between the ‘edges’of the development and adjoining areas.

• purposeful facilities on an accessible network with linkages beyond the development; and
• potential for reed bed technology, flood control, shelter belts, food production.

• design for open space network within development which reinforces or creates links to adjacent areas and beyond;
• design for a wide variety of facilities linked to the network which caters for different age ranges, with attractive and safe pedestrian accessibility; and
• identify areas for integration of water treatment as part of development (or close by) which also provides an accessible amenity. Involve technical bodies (Environment Agency, Drainage Boards) in early stages of the design process.

• potential for re-use of existing buildings and maximising the re-use and recycling of building materials within new development; and
• potential to use spare infrastructure capacity.

Build in quality and sustainability:

• with an ‘evolutionary’approach to building;
• which establishes a wide range of built forms (and housing accommodation);
• creates an attractive environment for living;
• for adaptability and long life;
• which promotes community safety.

• identify existing structures (including archaeology / historic buildings) for possible incorporation within development by repair / rehabilitation/conversion to add to range of built forms and provide historic linkage;
• identify spare capacity for existing sewers, roads and drainage to conserve additional energy / costs of construction or unnecessary infrastructure;
• identify the main building styles and traditions (with appropriate context appraisal) to establish an evolutionary process to building form for the desired character of new development (e.g. basic building forms and ‘language’, architectural styles, massing, local details, plot characteristics and ‘local’grain etc.);
• establish basic built forms with design guidance with clear reasons (e.g. wide and narrow front terrace, wide frontage/shallow depth dwellings, pavilion styles etc) related to contribution to street structure, townscape, local styles, solar design or density locations; and to create a wide range of accommodation;
• building forms which create street structures and which promote the role of the pedestrian;
• define building treatments which play positive townscape functions for different density areas e.g. continuous frontages (high density), linked frontages (medium / low density), land marks, corner buildings, enclosed/courtyard forms, ‘focus view’ buildings etc;
• create a positive and varied range of linked external spaces (or public realm);
• identify construction materials (and sources) which ties the development to the locality;
• provide detailed guidance for good domestic design principles e.g. public and private areas for the plot (defensible space), privacy and security (use of boundaries/screening);
• incorporate construction which allows for some adaptability (e.g. flexible internal layouts, use of loft areas, ground floor access to external areas); and
• provide opportunities for home-based working and other facilities (e.g. workshops /studios).