Plymouth’s planners tackle climate change

Developers or home owners planning to build or extend homes in Plymouth, the South Hams and West Devon will have to incorporate measures that will help tackle climate change from now on.

This is thanks to the formal adoption of the Plymouth and South West Devon Climate Emergency Planning Statement, from the 1st December 2022. This formal document will apply to all planning applications submitted thereafter.

This statement, which includes 13 new measures for reducing carbon emissions from construction and adapting to suit a warmer world, will carry weight as a material consideration in the determination of future planning applications.

The measures include:

• Onsite renewable energy such as solar panels
• Low carbon heating systems. e.g. air or ground source heat pumps instead of gas central heating
• Low carbon, local and resilient building materials
• Prioritising retrofitting and refurbishment
• Onsite electric vehicle charging facilities
• delivering active and sustainable travel to reduce reliance on private cars
• More habitat and green space designed into developments
• Protection and enhancement of tree cover, soil resources and drainage

The Climate Emergency Planning Statement complements the new building regulations that came into force on 15 June 2022.

The statement was widely consulted on during March and April earlier in the year, generating over 1,800 responses from 128 individuals and organisations.

The full statement can be accessed on the interactive site or as a PDF.