Later this month the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) will launch the fourth edition of their authoritative joint guidance for local authorities on planning for climate change.
The national planning system is in a considerable state of flux, with both short term changes and a longer-term prospectus for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) under consultation. However, regardless of the pace of the national planning reform agenda, the need for authorities to prioritise climate change in their strategies and policies has never been more acute.
Whilst the TCPA are hopeful that future national legislative and policy reforms will strengthen the ability of local authorities to be ambitious in addressing climate change, it is important that planning professionals can draw on current practice to get the best results through the planning system today.
Recent Inspectors’ reports from Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) and Cornwall Council’s local plan updates have provided helpful clarity that councils can set their own more ambitious targets for energy efficiency above national standards if they so wish. Local authorities in England can now be confident that well-evidenced policies that go beyond minimum national standards to address the climate challenge can be found sound.
This positive outcome is reflected in the new edition of the climate guide. The guidance has also been bought up to date with recent legislative and policy changes and reflects current guidance, evidence and best practice on a range of planning and climate change issues. The guidance encourages local authorities to be ambitious and will be accompanied by an online case study hub encouraging planners to take inspiration from those leading the charge elsewhere.
We are delighted to host a fantastic line up of speakers to support the launch of the new guidance, and welcome all those interested in this important issue to join us on 21st February to find out more.
Register for the event here.
