Cabinet considered the report regarding the adoption of the Interim Position Statement to be published as guidance and afforded weight as a material consideration in the planning process.

The Lead Member for  Climate Change, Sustainability, Parks and Countryside informed Cabinet that she was presenting this joint report with the Lead Member for Planning and Maidenhead.  A Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document is planned, however, the changes to national and local climate policy are material considerations which should be considered in the handling of planning applications.  To help meet the Climate Change Strategy it is considered prudent and necessary to adopt an interim position statement which would clarify the Council’s approach to these matters.

The National Planning Policy Framework was updated in February 2019. Paragraphs 7 and 8 set out that sustainability and measures to address climate change through mitigation, adaption and moving to a low carbon economy are at the heart of the planning system.

When the Royal Borough declared a climate emergency we said we would be carbon neutral by 2050.  When the Climate Strategy was adopted this set out how the Borough would address the Climate Emergency across four key themes: Circular Economy, Energy, Natural Environment and Transport. The Strategy sets a trajectory which seeks a 50% reduction in emissions by 2025.

The intention of the statement is not to introduce new policy but to clarify how the Borough will interpret existing policy and material considerations, as such it’s weight would be limited to that of a material consideration.  In due course there is an intention to prepare, consult on and adopt a detailed sustainability SPD which would sit alongside the emerging Borough Local Plan.  As this will take time it was considered prudent to propose this paper. 

The Lead Member for Planning, Environmental Services and Maidenhead said that at Council he mentioned that changing the black bin collection schedule was one of the first big steps towards achieving our climate change agenda.   As Lead Member for Planning he was delighted to see this paper being brought forward as it was another step forward and brought clarity for our developers in meeting carbon neutral.

The Lead Member for Finance and Ascot said that this was an important step to bringing the climate strategy forward.  Housing development can impact our carbon footprint so it was important to bring this down.  The spreadsheet provided developers a lot of information that they needed to focus on when putting plans forward.

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health said that the merits of the paper for planning consideration had been mentioned.  He was pleased to see the council looking to make behaviour change.  He had been discussing with NHS colleagues who were supportive of the changes in bin collections and incentivising behaviour changes towards recycling and a more healthier approach to how we view the world.  When thinking about the environment we can also take a public health approach and he would continue to work with his cabinet colleagues.    He also mentioned that the view of our younger residents was important and this is important for his later paper.

  The Lead Member for Transport and Infrastructure said that he wished to thank his fellow Lead Members for the progress being made with the strategy.  There was a lot of work to do and it was important not to be complacent.   The Lead Member was dedicated to her work and that was appreciated.  With his portfolio charging points for vehicles were being introduced to meet the pace of development.  More energy efficient vehicles, energy efficient batteries and energy efficient charging points will be coming forward over the next few years.  Its important that developers and the borough take advantage of opportunities.  This is an important piece of work in helping to regulate development to bring down carbon footprint and yield tangible results. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Resident and Leisure Services, HR, IT, Legal, Performance Management and Windsor informed that she supported the paper as it showed how the Royal Borough had come so far in a short period of time. 

Cllr W Da Costa addressed Cabinet and informed that he was the vice-chairman of the climate change panel.  He asked if this document would apply to next weeks planning meeting.  He was informed that planning applications could only be judged on existing adopted policy and that if approved this report would only be implemented after the call in period had elapsed. 

Cllr Da Costa continued by saying that although the document had many good points there were also many weaknesses that could have been addressed if it had been shared by the cross party working group, especially as the two co vice chairman had not been consulted.  There were thousands of existing buildings in the borough that can not be changed quickly so it was important that we introduce the highest standards now.  He proposed that there should be renewable energy sources from day one and zero carbon should apply to all ne buildings.  Climate change will bring more rainfall and more this means potentially more landslides.  We are going to face 40 degree heat regularly, are new buildings designed for this.   Buildings now need to be future proof.  He also suggested that members on planning panels should be trained in how to interpret the new policies so they can be applied with consistency.  The Lead Member responded by saying that this was an important interim document and that a full SPD would be introduced.  The Head of Planning also informed that we had to work within existing legislation and our planning policy framework.

Cllr Davies informed that she was pleased to see the paper being brought forward but asked if there was more information that could be given on the criteria that would be used for sustainability and planning applications.  The Head of Planning informed that when there was a viability issue with an application such as large developments with regards to affordable housing, there needed to be evidence given, financial assessments and an independent review.  A proportionate review would be used for this policy.  There would be transparent evidence within the planning system. 

Cllr Singh mentioned that he supported this paper.  In his ward there was a large application and asked if this policy would be relevant to that application that had just been submitted.  He was informed that as the application had already been submitted and accepted it would follow existing policies. 

The Deputy Chairman of Cabinet, Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Health and Mental Health said that this was a positive document but we have to adhere to the law and our policy framework.  We should be advocating changes at a Government level.  He praised the Lead Member for her work and had progressed well over the last 18 months.

Resolved unanimously: that Cabinet notes the report and:

            Adopt the Interim Position Statement to be published as guidance and afforded weight as a material consideration in the planning process.