Decision details

The report of the Director Economy and Development was submitted, looking at the changes that are needed in our land use policies and actions if we are to address the challenge of climate change set out in the previous paper.

Executive recommended that:-

(1)        the change in land use planning priorities and design philosophy outlined in Section 4 and 5 of the report be endorsed, in particular relating to the co-location of uses and adopting higher densities;

(2)        the development of a sustainable energy supply strategy for the City’s growth areas be endorsed with an implementation plan based on advice from the Centre for Energy and the Environment;

(3)        the Local Government Association (LGA) be lobbied to ensure that:

·         the Government provides a comprehensive policy and funding regime for delivering whole house/neighbourhood enhancements to secure substantial reductions in CO2 emissions

·         the Government maintains a firm line on the Code for Sustainable Homes and for the parallel tightening of Part L of the Building Regulations for commercial premises

·         the Government addresses the lack of an effective tie up between Approved Inspectors and the Local Planning Authority in delivering low carbon designs;

(4)        the draft responses to consultations on zero carbon in new non domestic buildings at Appendix 1 to the report and on permitted development rights for small scale renewables at Appendix 4 be approved;

(5)        the need for appropriate training for staff and, if desired, Members be agreed to ensure they are skilled in this new area of work; and

(6)        the finalised Residential Design Guide adequately addresses all of those issues relating to sustainable design.