ESPACE 2ND INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 2005

BLUEPRINT FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE

GRAHAM JONESPRESIDENT PLANNING OFFICERS

SOCIETYDIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING,

LONDON BOROUGH OF HARROW

WHAT CAN LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES DO TO DELIVER

ADAPTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE??

FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES

The Local Development Framework

- Deliver and interpret national and regional policy- Produce local policy- Increased emphasis on community engagement- But clear expectation that Government agenda

will be delivered- Public Examination with binding report from

Inspectors

FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES

The Development Control Process

- Determine Planning Applications- In accordance with policy

(Local/Regional/National)- Approve those that are acceptable- Refuse those that do not comply- Justify refusals at appeal

FUNCTIONS OF LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES

The Pro-active Role

- To promote sustainable development- Development briefs for sites- Actively encourage and support delivery of

development- Use of CPO and land assembly/regeneration

funding

PROCESS TO CONTENT

The Climate Change agenda in Planning – Where is it?

Timescales from policy development to implementation

Incremental nature of planning decisions Rates of change in the built environment

THE TIPPING POINT

PUBLIC OPINION AND PLANNING POLICY

Acceptance of climate change agenda?Progress on first LDFsIs Government giving LPAs the backing?Are LPAs engaged with Climate Change?

What more can be done?

ACTIONS

By Government

- Clear statement that LDFs should address Climate Change in a comprehensive manner

- Government officers should reject LDS which don’t address the issue

- Ensure Regional Spatial Strategies reinforce importance

ACTIONS

By Local Planning Authorities

- Policies in LDFs- Supplementary documents e.g. Sustainable

Design and Construction- Rejecting non-sustainable developments- Celebrating exemplar developments- Promoting Best Practice- Flood Risk

ACTIONS

Planning Officers Society

- Policies for Spatial Plans- LDF Learning & Dissemination Project- Lobbying – House of Lords Science and

Technology Centre- Planning Guidance for Sustainable Buildings- National Planning Forum Communique:

Planning for Climate Change

ACTIONS

How Effective Can Planning Be?

- Not effective enough- Can only control new development- Lead-in on new policy development- Assumption that policy across LPAs will be

consistent- Assumption that policy will be implemented

WHAT MORE CAN WE DO?

Use Planning to engage the Community – Spread the Word

Policy development as a catalyst for change Co-ordination across the community is the key Reinforce the messages at every opportunity Celebrate good practice Test the system – reject the average Willingness to Act Now

EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTICE|| Location, Location, Location 10% Policy for renewables – GLA/Merton Constructive use of Environmental & Sustainability

Appraisals Zero Co2 emissions Car free development/Car clubs/electric cars Sustainable waste policies – Sticks and Carrots Sustainable Design and Construction requirements Don’t forget the open space! Skills/Training focussed on sustainability? Lifetime homes

THE ONLY WAY

Climate Change at the Top of the Agenda Co-ordination at all levels of Government Co-ordination within Local Authorities Co-ordination with private sector Keep the messages simple