Agenda item

To consider the emerging draft Climate Change SPD.

The Panel received a presentation on the Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (CCSPD).

The draft CCSPD would be considered by Cabinet in March. The CCSPD supports local plan policy and acknowledges NFDC’s climate and nature emergency declaration made in 2021.

The Panel heard that 40% of UK Carbon Dioxide (CO2) was emitted by UK households, primarily from the heating systems, resulting in 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year per typical household. Best practice means that energy consumption could be reduced to quarter of current average rates for households and that a home could be operated at zero carbon if fitted with solar panels. It was explained that it costs, on average, £20,000 more to retrofit a home to best practice standards than it would to build to best practice standards in the first place.

The Panel were informed that a CCSPD would help to mitigate and adapt to climate change locally. Mitigation would focus on reducing carbon and greenhouse gasses as part of international efforts to stabilise climate change by limiting temperature rises to 1.5oC. Adapting to climate change would require the improving of resilience of buildings and built-up areas to climatic extremes.

Members heard of the national context regarding climate change action and were reminded of the aims of the Climate Change Act 2008, the Sixth Carbon Budget 2020, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the National Planning Policy Framework. All of these pieces of legislation and policy contain commitments and requirements to mitigate climate change.

NFDC had made a commitment in their new build programme, Greener Housing Policy and local plan policies STR1 and ENV3 to achieve sustainable development and design quality buildings that improve resource efficiency and climate change resilience, reducing environmental impacts wherever capable of being effective.

The Panel received an overview of the CCSPD and heard how would clarify how developers should address climate change in planning applications to ensure that developments are optimised before detailed plans are submitted for approval. The mechanism by which this requirement would be met would be through a Climate Change Statement that would be prepared and submitted by developers as part of the planning application process. CCSPD also sets out best practice approaches and standards that developers will be encouraged to target, including taking the practicable steps to decarbonise the running of buildings, to be net zero in operation where possible, to try to reduce embodied carbon in construction and the ensure that development is adapted for future climatic extremes. Members were told that a net zero carbon building would be challenging to achieve, requiring a threefold approach of: renewable energy, energy efficient design and low carbon heating. Sustainable and active travel through cycling, walking or electric vehicles (EVs) would also be encouraged through the SPD.

The Panel were told that the next steps for the CCSPD were as follows:

•           On the 1 March 2023 the CCSPD report would be considered by Cabinet with the recommendation to submit the CCSPD for public consultation.

•           In May-June 2023 the public consultation will take place.

•           In Summer 2023 a review of the consultation will take place and the feedback will be published in order to update the CCSPD.

•           Autumn 2023 will see a report on the updated CCSPD go through both Cabinet and then Council with the recommendation for adoption.

A member asked a question on renewable construction and the scale of sustainable developments. It was heard that some volume housebuilders already have zero carbon products, but that supply chains are still developing and do not yet exist at a scale sufficient to mass produce all homes to net zero carbon standards now. Individuals seemed willing to buy energy efficient homes, and the cost savings to run them should help offset slightly higher construction costs in the short to medium term.

Following a question from a Member, the Panel heard that at the time of public consultation there would be business fora held to promote the profile of the CCSPD.