Belfast·SPG007 Masterplanning Approach for Major Development·Page 19·3.3.2
Adaptive reuse of existing buildings
Proposals should consider the adaptive reuse of existing buildings to preserve embodied energy and avoid waste from demolition and disposal. Conversion is often more acceptable than replacement, particularly when buildings are already in accessible locations near transport and facilities.
It is also important that proposals consider the adaptive reuse of existing buildings where the opportunity to do so exists. Existing buildings will contain embodied energy that will mostly be wasted if the building is demolished, along with the energy required to dispose of building materials and rebuild. The conversion of an existing building may therefore be more acceptable than replacement and in many cases such buildings will already be located in accessible areas possibly close to transport and key facilities.
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