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ESPACE 2 ND 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 ?.
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ESPACE 2ND INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 2005BLUEPRINT 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
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