New Local Plan - Issues & Options (Regulation 18)

Environment and Sustainability Policies

12. Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change

12.1 Climate change is a cross-cutting theme which impacts on all aspects of new Local Plan policy. Presenting growing risks, globally and locally, it is widely accepted that human activity is the main reason for increased concentration of greenhouse gases and rising global temperatures. Unless steps are taken it will impact not just this but also future generations.

12.2 Locally, the more visible impacts of rising temperatures include more extreme weather events including flooding and changes in air and soil quality. The response to the challenge posed by climate change affects many aspects of life and society, several of which can be influenced positively by the new Local Plan. The Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019 and in 2021 published its Climate Emergency Action Plan for the period 2022 – 2030 which is in the process of being updated. The implications of the Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan will need to be incorporated into the Local Plan, its spatial strategy and individual policies.

12.3 National planning policy is clear that the planning system should support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate by helping to shape places in ways that contribute to "radical reductions" in greenhouse gas emissions, minimise vulnerability and improve resilience. As part of that, it is tasked with supporting renewable and low carbon energy and associated infrastructure.

12.4 Whilst the Local Plan cannot do everything (it has very limited influence over existing buildings, for example), it should ensure that significant new development is directed to locations that are sustainable or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. Local plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change alongside policies supporting appropriate measures to build future resilience of communities and infrastructure to climate change impacts.

12.5 As with many aspects of planning policy, it is important to establish an evidence base so that an appropriate policy response can be formulated. Recognising that Climate Change is a strategic, cross-boundary challenge, the Leicester and Leicester local authorities are currently in discussion about the scope of a potential joint climate change/zero carbon study which would look at the scope of what can be done through local plans to address climate change.

12.6 In the meantime, it is expected that the new Local Plan policy will contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation through:

• Locating development in the most sustainable locations where walking, cycling and public transport options are, or can be made, available to access local shops and services
• Supporting the generation of energy through renewable and low carbon technologies in appropriate locations (including within developments where possible)
• Improving the energy performance of buildings (without duplicating standards required by Building Regulations or expected future changes to Building Regulations)
• Encouraging the use of sustainable materials and construction methods in new development which encourage waste minimisation and prevention through the reuse and recycling of building materials
• Encouraging passive design measures that reduce the need for artificial lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, through siting, design, materials, layout and building orientation
• Locating and designing new development to take into account flood risk from all sources, so that it does not place itself or other communities at increased risk of flooding
• Supporting to the use of sustainable drainage systems which contribute to green and blue Infrastructure network where possible
• Minimising water consumption in new development
• Ensuring the incorporation of multifunctional green and blue infrastructure into developments which delivers environmental as well as health and well-being benefits by encouraging active lifestyles
• Promoting sustainable modes of transport/active, giving priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas
• Ensuring the District contributes to a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging points to support electric modes of transport and emerging technologies
• Supporting an improvement in air quality across the District, particularly in respect of the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) at Kibworth and Lutterworth, by providing sustainable travel choices to reduce the reliance on the private car.

12.7 In essence, most policies in the new Local Plan will have a role in addressing climate change and delivering sustainable development. It is likely that national planning policy and guidance in respect of climate change and zero carbon ambitions will keep evolving as the Local Plan is progressed. Such changes will be considered alongside relevant evidence in formulating a suite of policies on climate change. It will also be important to understand how any requirements relating to climate change will impact on the viability of development when considered alongside other policy requirements (e.g. affordable housing, open space provision, biodiversity net gain).

Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change