The 2005 residents' survey showed that some three out of four residents are satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live. The Council's ambition is for the people of the borough to live in a clean and well cared-for environment.
Our priorities
Sustainability, energy conservation and design are high priorities for development in the borough. The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) includes policies aimed at helping to protect the environment. These policies relate to:
- density
- urban design
- transport assessment
- energy and energy efficiency
- renewable energy.
More on the Unitary Development Plan.
Sustainable developments
Through the use of innovative planning agreements, we have secured sustainable developments in the borough.
For example, Greenwich Peninsula is now recognised as the first low emission zone in the UK. It has been adopted as a model for the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley.
More about Greenwich Peninsula development.
Download the sustainable development policy.
Energy conservation
In 2005/06 the Council began to examine the feasibility of a working energy plan for Greenwich. We also participated in the Carbon Trust's Local Authority Management Programme.
We are commissioning a study to look into providing sustainable energy services. One option could be for the Council to set up an energy services company and use a range of renewable energy sources. This should reduce carbon emissions.
The Council has undertaken best value reviews on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The recommendations of these reviews will inform the Council's work in these areas.
Learn about our energy policy.
The importance of design
We get a design adviser involved very early with new developments. The adviser supplements the views of conservation and planning officers, and the Council can cite poor design as a reason for refusing planning applications.
On major schemes, the Council involves the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) in the consultation process.
Raising the importance of design has resulted in the Council being recognised in Civic Trust Awards (commendations and mentions) since 2000.
External link: current CABE comments.
Community projects
We have developed neighbourhood- and community-based projects on the Neighbourhood Pride model. These are designed to:
- improve the local environment
- increase the sustainability of defined neighbourhoods
- contribute towards community cohesion.
Further information
For more information about what the Council is doing, and what you can do, to help the environment, visit our Greener Greenwich section.