The results produced by the Scorecard take into consideration paragraph 8 of the NPPF, which states:

“…to achieve sustainable development, economic, social and environmental gains should be sought jointly and simultaneously through the planning system…”

As such, alongside an overall sustainable development score, the results provided by the Scorecard includes a ‘parity score’ which determines if a scheme equally benefits each of the three pillars of sustainable development. A perfect score (100%) can only be achieved by a scheme if the three pillars have been equally addressed.

By including a ‘parity score’, the Scorecard truly encourages best practice. To bolster the parity score the user cannot simply implement ‘quick-fixes’ on a scheme, a more inclusive approach would need to be taken to ensure all three pillars of sustainable development are addressed and improved in equal measure.

The Scorecard acknowledges sustainable development as a spectrum. There is no ‘pass-mark’ which dictates whether or not a scheme is sustainable. It is hoped that by not including a trigger approach within the Scorecard, schemes will continually strive to become as sustainable as possible.