Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning and Infrastructure

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report and referred Members to the amended recommendations set out in the update sheet due to an error in the original report.

Members acknowledged the work undertaken by officers to date and recognised that this was the start of a long journey to make the District greener and more efficient.

In relation to the preferred options as part of the public consultation, a Member felt that the approach of listing the preferred options could seem too leading.  In response, the Planning Policy Team Manager explained that the intention was to list the options as preferred at this time as they were based on the information currently available.  It was noted that the process had yet to commence but it was made clear that the approach may have to be changed going forward as more information became available.

Members welcomed the fabric first approach to minimise the need for energy consumption, but reference was made to the current Planning Bill going through parliament and concerns were raised that officers could be setting a target that was moving and therefore unachievable or possibly contradictory to the Planning Bill.  The Chairman acknowledged that targets were moving but felt it was important to include it to keep control.  The Planning Policy Team Manager agreed and added that if a plan was submitted that went over and above legislation then there was a risk that it could be found to be unsound.  A further comment was made on the potential policy wording for the fabric first approach as it was felt that there would be a temptation for developers to install cheaper systems which were expensive to run.  Officers were asked to look at the wording and a suggestion was made to add a note to discourage the installation of electric storage heaters.  The Planning Policy Team Manager agreed to investigate this further.

A Member queried the inclusion of paragraph 2g in the potential policy wording at appendix 1, as it did not seem to be included in the NPPF.  The wording was taken from current policy and did not seem achievable.  The Planning Policy Team Manager explained that along with the NPPF, there was also a Ministerial Statement to consider, and this paragraph was most likely from that.  In relation to the Ministerial Statement, officers were asked that due to the statement being made in 2016, was it necessary for paragraph 2(g) and 3(a) of the potential policy wording to be included in the Local Plan. The Planning Policy Team Manager explained that it was a fact that the Ministerial Statement was still in place and although it was made some years ago, it could not be ignored. 

In relation to the Carbon offset fund, although still in its early stages, a Member felt that that the options were very binary and it was important to look at this in more detail going forward to allow carbon rates to improve.  It was suggested that officers look at how the carbon price was set and to make it clear in the consultation how the Council were planning to set it.  The Planning Policy Team Manager agreed with the comments made and that the carbon price setting would need to be considered if the Council decided to go down the route of a carbon offset fund.

A reference was made to the last paragraph of the potential policy wording for reducing carbon emissions at appendix 2 as it seemed to be advocating a 100 percent requirement for energy generation to match consumption which was very ambitious. It was suggested that officers look at making the wording clearer.  It was also highlighted that there was no reference to the consultant’s recommendation for a Local Development Order for retrospective installation of carbon energy efficiency measures to existing houses, officers were asked if this was under consideration.  The Planning Policy Team Manager reported that a request had been submitted to the consultants in relation to the resources and cost required for that piece of work but had not yet received a response.  Members would be kept informed of the progress.

In response to a concern from a Member in relation to the complexity of the subject matter and the importance of making it easy to understand for the public consultation, the Planning Policy Team Manager stated that he would bear it in mind and work with the communications team on the matter.

For clarity, the recommendations as amended in the additional papers were read out in full before they were put to the vote.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor J Hoult and

RESOLVED THAT:

The potential policy options for –

a)     Renewable Energy (as set out in paragraphs 3.22 – 3.23 of the report)

b)     Energy Efficiency (as set out in paragraphs 4.17 – 4.18 of the report)

c)      Reducing Carbon Emissions (as set out in paragraphs 5.8 – 5.10; 5.18 – 5.20; 5.28 – 5.30 and 5.39 – 5.40 of the report)

d)     Water Efficiency (as set out in paragraphs 6.4 – 6.5 of the report)

be agreed for inclusion in the next consultation stage of the Local Plan.