Date: 15/3/2010

EXTRACT:

1              Spatial Planning Latest  

2              Development Management Latest

3              Breaking News ….

4              Legal Update

5              Brief Updates

6              Society Matters

7              Forthcoming Events

8              Correspondence

9              And Finally …..                     

1                                 SPATIAL PLANNING LATEST

 New policies published to tackle climate change

CLG has unveiled its draft climate change PPS; this combines and updates the policy set out in the existing PPS 1 supplement and PPS 22 on renewable energy. David Hackforth, for POS, commented to the press “we welcome these announcements: it is good to see a national planning policy on climate change – albeit several years after councils such as Merton pioneered local carbon reduction policies; we are also pleased that the government has recognised that eco-towns must have local support if they are to succeed.”

 The PPS, now out for consultation, provides a planning framework to drive progress towards meeting the UK’s targets to reduce greenhouse gases, use more renewable and low-carbon energy and plan for the effect of climate change. Councils will have to consider the provision of local district heating schemes, draw up local heat maps and ensure Local Development Frameworks take on board the need for decentralised energy schemes and low-carbon development.

In addition, the department has published the final version of a new planning policy statement on managing coastal change which removes the blanket ban on temporary development and a draft PPS on the natural and healthy environment. This provides councils with updated guidance on planning for green infrastructure including parks, cycle ways, rivers, allotments and trees on streets.    

To find out more go to http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/policy/new

Robert Shaw, Associate Director of Sustainability & Building Engineering at AECOM has put together a short note outlining the key implications. Please note that this is based on a first reading and further implications or revised assessments may become apparent or necessary as time goes by. 

The consultation document is available at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/ppsclimateconsultation

In a separate but related development, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has published new guidelines designed to help regional authorities assess the potential for renewable and low-carbon energy in their area. Go to http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn10_040/pn10_040.aspx

To read the bulletin in full click here