Planning for climate change consultation 2023 - executive summaries

Introduction

The interim guidance and position statement provides guidance on the weight that can be given to climate change in decision making for planning applications. It specifically covers of sustainable design and construction and renewable energy proposals.

The position statement brings together legislation, national policy, and local planning policy on climate change and in relation to these two areas, setting out what the council expects from planning applications given current planning policy and the national policy context.

It is intended to help decision makers weigh up the benefits of addressing climate change with other material considerations. It will be a non-statutory document with the presents a position based on a review of existing policy rather than providing new policy. It will be in place until adoption of the new Dorset Council Local Plan, which will provide any new policy on matters such as energy efficiency and will seek to address climate change through planning in a holistic way.

Position statement 1 - Sustainable design and construction

Position statement 1 provides guidance on how the Council will consider planning applications for new built development with reference to sustainable design and construction. The document makes it clear that whether the proposal is in a sustainable location is the first consideration for an application. The sustainable design and construction of a scheme is considered thereafter.  Position statement 1 reviews legislation, national planning policy, and existing adopted local plan policy, and then sets out a number of guidance points.

The Sustainability statement and checklist for planning applications is linked to this position statement, providing a means of assessing applications on their sustainability credentials. A summary of the Sustainability statement and checklist for planning applications document is provided later in this document.

Position statement 1 sets out that:

• Climate change will be given significant weight as a material consideration in the balance in decision making.
• The Natural Environment, Climate and Ecology Strategy (2023) has weight as a material consideration.
• Carbon neutral or low carbon credentials of a development will be viewed positively as part of the overall planning assessment.
• The National Design Guide should be reflected in development proposals.
• The Sustainability checklist is supplementary to the position statement and sets out how the Council is encouraging applicants to incorporate sustainable design and construction.
• The contribution a proposal makes towards net zero assessed through submitted sustainability statement and checklist.
• Proposals that meet the targets stated in the sustainability checklist will be viewed positively as part of the overall planning assessment.

Position Statement 2 - Renewable energy development

The second part of the position statement provides guidance on applications for stand-alone renewable energy proposals. It first provides a review of legislation, national planning policy, existing adopted local policy, and case law, then setting out a number of points in a position statement on renewable energy:

• That the significant public benefits of renewable energy schemes will be given considerable weight as a material consideration.
• That public benefits will be balanced against harmful impacts, and that supporting assessments and any appropriate mitigation will need to be demonstrated within planning applications, as well as the benefits of a scheme.
• Where siting is informed by grid connection and capacity, applicants should justify and provide supporting information.
• In relation to temporary periods, the lifetime of a proposed development will be a material consideration in decision making, to be balanced with benefits and impacts.
• Impact on agricultural land will be considered, and full justification needed for sites impacting the Best and Most Versatile land.
• That the national planning policy tests will apply for developments that impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and heritage assets.

It is intended that the Interim Guidance and Position Statement will assist decision-makers in their consideration of proposals for renewable energy schemes. This should assist the council in making clear and consistent planning decisions and help in avoiding delay.

Alongside the position statement, a sustainability checklist has been prepared for completion by applicants, which sets out questions for applicants to check and answer in relation to their schemes’ sustainable design and construction.

The Council’s Local List (which sets out requirements for information to be submitted with planning applications) already requires applicants to submit a sustainability statement setting out how they are addressing matters such as energy efficiency, sustainable materials and adaptation.

The checklist will be an effective way of establishing how applicants should prepare their sustainability statements, as required by the local list. This should assist in consistency in what is submitted by applicants. The checklist covers various topics that relate to existing policy and covers all those topics already required to be set out in a sustainability statement.

The checklist sets out best practice standards and guidance in relation to:

• Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions
• Maximising the use of sustainable materials
• Minimising waste and increasing recycling
• Conserving water resources
• Incorporating green infrastructure
• Sustainable drainage and pollution
• Adaptation to climate change

Applicants will answer whether they are addressing these topics and to what extent they are addressing them. Applicants will also be asked for reasoning if any of the issues are not being addressed. It also provides links to further advice and guidance on the various topics. It is intended that this will assist applicants in working towards addressing climate change and on the path to net zero.

The standards will not be mandatory, unless already required in local plan policies, but reflect best practice and the direction of travel for achieving net zero. It is hoped that this be a proactive way of encouraging best practice and will enable opportunities to be maximised at the site level in advance of new policy requirements and in the run up to proposed changes in building regulations.

An amendment to the Local List to require submission of a completed checklist and sustainability statement for relevant applications is also subject to the current consultation.

Executive summary

As concerns about climate change have risen, and energy costs are increasing, many people are looking for ways to adapt and retrofit their houses to make them more energy efficient. This can be more challenging in a listed building, which has been designated as a result of its special architectural or historic interest in a national context. Local authorities have a statutory duty to have special regard to the desirability of preserving listed buildings, their settings and any features of special architectural or historic interest they possess. This document has been prepared to outline the importance of the historic heritage and issues to consider when looking at energy efficiency in Listed Buildings.

Summary of contents

Around 1.5% of buildings in England and Wales are listed. The document summarises the importance of the climate and ecological emergency and looks at what can be done in listed buildings to help with this. It explains why listed buildings need a special approach and emphasises the importance of carrying out repairs and regular maintenance to save costs later on. It also outlines some low cost, simple improvements that can be undertaken quickly to reduce energy consumption.

Conservation principles, measures and techniques are outlined. It is important to check if planning permission and Listed Building Regulation Approval are required.

Is Listed Building Consent needed?

A key part of the document is a table which lists works to reduce energy bills in listed buildings and indicates whether listed building consent is required. Comments are included to help inform owners or occupiers of listed buildings about particular works.

Examples of works which do not require listed building consent include draught-proofing to doors and windows, loft insulation, low energy light bulbs in existing fittings, repairing window shutters.

Examples of works which do require listed building consent include external insulation to exterior walls, new boiler in new location with new flue, new (first time) central heating system, solar panels on outbuildings where the outbuildings are curtilage listed, underfloor heating.

Where measures may impact on the historic fabric of the building (such as replacing historic single glazed windows with double glazing or solar panels), people are advised to contact the conservation team to discuss.

Specific questions

The document outlines how the Council makes decisions affecting listed buildings and current policy on putting solar panels on both listed buildings and on unlisted buildings in Conservation Areas. A further section outlines the importance of historic glass and gives advice to repair historic windows wherever possible. Information on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is also included.

Case studies

Examples are given of listed buildings where careful siting and design has enabled energy efficiency measures to be undertaken. At Durlston Castle, solar panels and an air source heat pump have been installed, while at Athelhampton House, free standing solar panels, ground and air source heat pumps have been sensitively sited.