Checklist for new housing developments
We know that new housing in the UK is too often built around car use, with residents having little choice but to drive for almost every journey.
There are also some great examples of housing where sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel have been properly considered.
But what are the specific elements that make up a non-car-dependent housing development? Transport for New Homes has produced a Checklist for new housing developments which lists elements such as:
- A location within or closely connected to an existing settlement that has a clear centre
- A welcoming environment, not dominated by car parking
- Local facilities easily accessible without a car
- Frequent public transport services in place from Day 1 of occupation
By considering each of these criteria, users of the TfNH Checklist can rate a housing plan as either Red, Amber or Green for how well it will avoid car-dependency.
Our country desperately needs more homes, but these must be located and designed to ensure that residents do not need cars to live a full life.”
Tim Pharoah, lead author of the Transport for New Homes Checklist
Written without jargon, the Transport for New Homes Checklist can be used by local authorities, developers and neighbourhood groups alike to root out car-dependent housing plans. The Checklist will help to identify how such plans can be improved, or why they should be rejected altogether.
The Checklist has been developed with input from bodies representing planning and transport professionals, as well as planners, academics and neighbourhood groups.
Checklist worked examples
What are the specific elements that make up a non-car-dependent housing development? Transport for New Homes has produced a Checklist. Here you can find examples of the Checklist in use. We applied the Checklist to the following developments:
- Bath Riverside in the centre of Bath
- Castle Mead on the fringe of Trowbridge, Wiltshire