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Councils are altering local planning rules to set tougher sustainability standards for developers, potentially placing them on a collision course with government, a new Inside Housing survey reveals.
Around the country, 287 of 408 councils have declared a climate emergency – meaning they place a renewed emphasis on carbon reduction in all policies.
An Inside Housing survey revealed that 24 out of the 29 councils to have made such a declaration are looking to tighten planning rules through a revised local plan or supplementary planning guidance to demand tougher standards from new build.
It comes as the government consults on limiting councils’ power to set higher efficiency standards, with a consultation on new building regulations suggesting measures to “restrict local planning authorities from setting higher energy efficiency standards”.
South Cambridgeshire, for example, is preparing to consult on a new supplementary planning guidance which is likely to demand higher standards for energy efficiency in new build.
“It should be a case of standards being pushed up by national government, not being held back,” said Hazel Smith, lead cabinet member for housing at the council.
In Guildford, planning guidance currently seeks a 20% reduction on the carbon emissions of new homes compared with normal building methods, but it may get tougher still.
Gordon Jackson, chair of the climate change and innovation board at Guildford Council, said it will toughen these standards “as aggressively as it is possible to” but acknowledges the “trade-off” between sustainability and viability. “We do want homes to be built,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: “Restricting higher standards may discourage some councils from setting the ambitious targets required to meet the government’s 2050 targets (and their own locally set targets) and disadvantage them as they miss out on opportunities to take up innovative technologies and boost economic growth.
“Local authorities should have the flexibility to require standards above the building regulations to ensure they can meet their own ambitions to achieve net-zero carbon, support better-quality housing, and develop and grow a skills base in the newly emerging green economy.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government did not respond to a request for comment.
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Inside Housing is pleased to join forces with Homes England and the LGA to introduce the Inside Housing Development Summit.
Taking place on 27-28 April 2020, the summit will gather together local authorities, housing associations, developers, fund managers and advisors for a Chatham House style event focussed on making new connections and exploring new delivery models.
The summit will take place over 28 hours, starting with an afternoon plenary on 27 April, an exclusive development site study tour to Northstowe, England's largest new town since Milton Keynes, followed by a business dinner.
The second day will provide opportunities to network with a range of senior Homes England and LGA staff including Nick Walkley, chief executive of Homes England and Mark Lloyd, chief executive of LGA.
You’ll also meet with leaders from across the development ecosystem and take part in group discussions to help you connect and explore new opportunities. All accommodation and meals will be provided within the fee.
Places for each stakeholder group are limited to ensure a balanced mix of participants and to make sure you leave with the relationships and leads you need.
Click here to book your place or for more information