National policy context
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Climate change has soared up the political agenda in the past year, and it is undoubtedly the case that awareness amongst the general public has also risen – reflected by a growing interest in the impact of people’s homes on the environment. The recent Stern Review on the economics of climate change has raised the stakes with planning was identified as one of four priority areas for action.
The Local Government White Paper has also highlighted the important role that local authorities have to play in seeking to reduce carbon emissions in their communities. Climate change is highlighted as one of seven key challenges. The White Paper also calls for Local Area Agreements to set climate change targets across local government.
The long awaited Code for Sustainable Homes was launched on 13th December 2006. The Code sets out six environmental standards for new homes, with a strong focus on carbon reduction. The Code is mandatory only for publicly funded development, but a proposed timetable has been published for integrating Code levels into the building regulations after 2010. Furthermore Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has also proposed that all new UK homes should be zero carbon by 2016.
Of greatest significance to regional and local planning is, however, the consultation launch of a draft climate change supplement to Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 1. The implications of this document are likely to be far reaching for planning policy and practice at all levels. The draft sets out a robust framework for tackling climate change and delivering more sustainable energy through planning.
The PPS, together with the Code for Sustainable Homes should create an effective planning framework for reducing carbon emissions. It demonstrates that there is now high level support for low carbon standards in development. But, time is short and we must grasp every opportunity to take action.
That is why the SHAP planning best practice guide is so important in demonstrating how local authorities, planners, decision-makers and developers can use the emerging positive national policy framework to influence plan-making and practice across the West Midlands region.
Rob Shaw
Town and Country Planning Association