For far too many housebuilders, ‘sustainable travel’ is treated like a box to tick on the way to planning permission or another S106 commitment. That mindset is exactly why some developments struggle to feel like real places and stand the test of time. Because sustainable travel isn’t an add on, it’s fundamental to whether a community works.

Sustainable travel is only achieved by implementing design and placemaking principles to reduce reliance on private car use. Developers therefore need to facilitate, not just encourage, the use of low emissions forms of transport including walking, cycling, public transport, and where possible electric vehicle infrastructure. These must be a convenient, attractive and viable choice, supported by well-planned, integrated infrastructure and design.