Many of you may well be aware of two recent government consultations: Changes to the Planning System, and the Future Homes Standard. The Green Party, and environmental organisations such as Friends of the Earth, have commented publicly on the shortcomings of the latter (not emphasising Fabric First, in the latter case) and the worrying proposal regarding a three zone approach for development planning.
Locally, Mike has been appreciative of the work done by the South Downs National Park authority with regard to low carbon buildings as encapsulated in their recent Sustainable Development Supplementary Planning Document and has recently asked if Horsham DC could follow SDNP's example (CO29).
From the minutes:
Councillor Mike Croker asked Councillor Claire Vickers, Cabinet Member for Planning & Development, the following question:
‘Would the Cabinet Member for Planning and Development join me in congratulating the South Downs National Park planning authority for adopting a Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which, amongst other measures, encourages use of Passive House standards for all new dwellings, and requires Passive House certification for 10% of all new dwellings in a development of 10 or more dwellings?’
The Cabinet Member replied:
‘I am happy to join you in congratulating the South Downs National Park. We work closely with the SDNP and will be applying the new SPD in the determination of any planning applications we make as part of our delegated authority agreement.’
In reply, Councillor Croker asked a supplementary question:
‘I’m pleased that you join me in this. But recognising the significance of this SPD and the current climate emergency, would she also consider the production of a similarly rigorous SPD by Horsham District Council that is fit for the challenges presented by the ongoing climate emergency, bearing in mind that policy 39 of the draft Horsham District Local Plan requires that all development should maximise energy efficiency?’
The Cabinet Member replied:
‘As you are probably aware, a SPD has to hang off a policy in an adopted Local Plan and the SDNP have recently adopted their Plan. This Council however is in the process, as you know, of renewing its Local Plan so the Strategic Planning team are fully focussed on the preparation of the next stage of this Plan, which will contain enhanced environmental policies. Once the Plan and its policies are in place we can then look to provide supplementary guidance where we feel there is benefit in doing so.’
Councillor Croker made a final statement:
‘I thank the Cabinet Member for her relatively positive approach to this and look forward to working with her in future once we get the Horsham District Local Plan past the finishing post.’
Rest assured that Mike will be following this up once the draft HDLP reaches Regulation 19 (examination by external inspector).
I see in the Reg.19 Local Evidence Summary that there's a 'Sustainable Design and Construction SPD' in preparation for the Reg 19 consultation: wonder where it's going?
ReplyDelete