The role of enabling

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But planning is not enough. Complementary enabling mechanisms will need to support implementation, including full use of Local Authority powers to influence development through land disposal, establish selection criteria for development partners, and to act as a facilitor for community heating networks. And it is not all a one way street. Private and social housing developers have a key role to play in raising standards, and a responsibility to support and develop low carbon energy strategies.

The guide highlights and explores some of the key mechanisms that can be used to facilitate progress, putting them into regional context:

Building control and enforcement – There is increasing evidence that the majority of new-build housing falls short of Part L Building Regulations due to poor quality. Effective regulation is therefore needed to tighten this up.
Planning gain and land sale – The benefits of low carbon homes should be reflected and valued in bidding processes for public sector land. This approach has been demonstrated by Wolverhampton City Council on pioneering low carbon regeneration schemes such as Showell Park and Cross Street South.
Local Authority Carbon Management – It is important for the credibility of climate change programmes that local authorities lead by example in their communities, as demonstrated by authorities such as Birmingham, Telford and Worcestershire which have implemented a range of carbon reduction projects.
Property investment policies – Carbon reduction policies and the careful selection of development partners have the potential to be used by the Regional Development Agency (RDA) Advantage West Midlands, Local Authorities and special purpose investment vehicles such as ISIS and the English Cities Fund to deliver low carbon developments.
Managing innovation – With an increasing focus on public-private partnerships to deliver regeneration projects there is the need to manage the process to select partners with a track record and capacity to innovate and take risk. The region’s Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Pathfinders RENEW North Staffordshire and City Living are in a strong position to facilitate innovation.
Energy service companies (ESCos) – Local authorities such as Woking and Southampton have successfully demonstrated how ESCo’s can lever in the long-term investment required for CHP and community heating. Birmingham City Council is seeking to emulate this model with its selection of Utilicom as a partner.
Community engagement and ownership – There is increasing evidence of the importance of community engagement in achieving a wider acceptance of the need for action on climate change. Engagement can inform the development of Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements, as championed by organisations such as the Marches Energy Agency.
Supply chain development – An increase in the demand for low carbon products and services will need to go hand-in-hand with capacity building along the supply chain, including Modern Methods of Construction and low carbon energy technologies. This could create a significant economic opportunity for the region, as highlighted by the Regional Economic Strategy.

There are many generic lessons on enabling to be learnt from major new low carbon communities such as Hannover Kronsberg which will be directly relevant to West Midlands regeneration schemes such as Eastside in Birmingham, Bilston Urban Village in Wolverhampton, City Waterside in Stoke and the Edgar Street Grid in Hereford.