How can new buildings or developments promote healthier lifestyles?

• Encourage cycling, walking and use of public or collective transport through location and connection to networks (e.g. cycle routes).
• Ensure specifications give appropriate warmth, ventilation, shade, clean air, security and low maintenance, and do not cause light or water pollution.
• Provide for, or contribute to, an appropriate level of recreational/open space within the locality.
• Incorporate space for food production, exercise and relaxation within the development site.
• Reduce stress by controlling all potentially aggravating noise, dust, vibration,smell and glare.

What steps should be taken to minimise all kinds of pollution during construction?

• Source materials/equipment locally in order to reduce transport related pollution and reclaim existing materials on site wherever possible. (See Waste Minimisation.)
• Comply with the recognised Codes of Practice, e.g. the Environment Agency’s Pollution Prevention Guidelines - some of which are specific to the construction industry.
• Protect neighbouring properties and operators from noisy vehicles, machinery and dust on site. Town planning and other regulatory conditions will normally require this.
• Avoid products/materials which have a potential for releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.
• Identify any hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos) on site and employ a licensed operator to carry out disposal.
• Where de-contamination is necessary, use the most environmentally benign method of site treatment.
• Dispose of unavoidable construction waste carefully. Manage the delivery / storage of materials and waste to minimise the risk of pollution to soils, drains, watercourses or groundwater. (See Water Use & Drainage)

How can developers take account of external air quality and noise issues?

• Choose the location and orientation of a new development to minimise noise intrusion from nearby sources.
• Install measures to reduce noise output or impact where appropriate (e.g. sound insulation and earth bunds).
• Restrict motor vehicle access and provide for more sustainable modes of transport - e.g. install bicycle parking and adopt travel plans (see Travel and Transport ).
• Specify heating plant with low nitrous oxide emissions.
• Plant trees to ‘neutralise’ the release of carbon dioxide and to absorb pollutants (including noise).

How can the internal air quality of buildings be improved?

• Specify materials with low toxicity which are benign during use and on disposal.
• Use natural, non-toxic and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, glues, solvents, treatments, furnishings and coatings wherever possible. Choose zero-formaldehyde versions of chipboard/MDF.
• Avoid wood preservatives. If essential, use water-borne treatments rather than organic solvent-based ones. Pre-treatment in the factory is preferred to on-site application.
• Provide appropriate energy-efficient ventilation if natural ventilation is not feasible. Consider whole building mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR).
• Specify high quality ventilation and appropriate indoor plants to reduce the impact of indoor pollutants, and the likelihood of allergic reactions triggered by fungal spores, bacteria and dust mites. ( See also Building Design and Specification.)

What other issues should be considered?

• Select sites with care, taking into account available information from public agencies about any past contamination and the condition of existing buildings.
• Be aware that some locations may be affected by potential electromagnetic fields (EMF), e.g. overhead power lines, electrical substations and mobile phone masts. If close proximity is inevitable, seek advice about shielding measures.
• Avoid light pollution (especially glare and light leakage beyond the site boundary) by investing in best practice design e.g. directional lighting.
• Source materials that have the minimum adverse social/environmental impact in their place of origin.