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ESPACE 2ND INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 2005 BLUEPRINT FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE GRAHAM JONES PRESIDENT PLANNING OFFICERS SOCIETY DIRECTOR 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 LDFs Is 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