National Planning Policy Framework, Chapter 5: Meeting the challenge of climate change (CC1–3)

Plan-making policies

CC1: Planning for climate change

1. Development plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating climate change and supporting the transition to net zero, in accordance with the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. They should also take a proactive approach to adapting to climate change, taking into account the implications of extreme weather and long-term climate trends including overheating, wildfires, drought, flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes. They should do this by:

 a. Proposing development patterns through their spatial strategy and allocations which:

  i. Can help contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (which can be informed by an assessment of baseline carbon emissions and the potential effect of development options on future emissions and their mitigation); and

  ii. Avoid increased vulnerability and improve resilience to the effects of climate change (including through providing for necessary infrastructure improvements and the future relocation of homes and other uses where public safety would be at risk, for example as a consequence of coastal change).

 b. Addressing any specific risks from climate change in their proposed allocations for development, and necessary adaptations, both of which should be considered for the anticipated lifetime of the development;

 c. Setting local water efficiency standards for new development where these are justified in accordance with policy PM13; and

 d. Identifying opportunities for green infrastructure provision and nature-based solutions which can safeguard and improve carbon storage, support nature recovery and resilience, and which take account of Local Nature Recovery Strategies in accordance with policy N1.

National decision-making policies

CC2: Mitigation of climate change

1. In order to contribute to climate change mitigation and the transition to net zero, development proposals should, where relevant to the proposal:

 a. Accord with policies TR3 and TR4 so that sustainable patterns of movement are prioritised, opportunities are taken to improve walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, and infrastructure is provided to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles;

 b. Support good access to facilities in order to limit the need to travel, whether through the development’s location, through development densities which improve catchment populations for local services, or by incorporating community facilities and premises to support local employment opportunities;

 c. Use design approaches which conserve energy and other resources in accordance with policy DP3(2)(b);

 d. Take advantage of opportunities to reuse existing structures and materials, including by reusing non-contaminated excavated soil and hardcore within the site;

 e. Take advantage of opportunities to draw low carbon energy from decentralised networks (such as district heat networks), where these are available, and to co-locate energy and heat generators and users, especially to take advantage of suppliers of surplus heat and energy;

 f. Contribute to the creation or restoration of habitats which can act as carbon stores, such as through woodland planting and peatland restoration, while avoiding harm to habitats which can act as important carbon stores, including peatland and salt marsh; and

 g. Not involve the extraction of fossil fuels unless it is in accordance with policy M5.

2. Substantial weight should be given to the benefits of improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings and/or drawing energy from district heat networks, renewable and low carbon sources (including through the installation of heat pumps and solar panels where these do not already benefit from permitted development rights) where this would be achieved through proposals for development.

CC3: Adaptation to climate change

1. Development proposals should take into account the current and potential impacts of climate change over the lifetime of the scheme, and in order to minimise vulnerability to these impacts should, where relevant to the proposal:

 a. Be located where the risk of flooding is minimised, or can be managed and the development made safe without increasing risk elsewhere, in accordance with policies F4, F5, F6, F7 and F8;

 b. Comply with policy F9 where development would be located in an area vulnerable to coastal change, as specified in that policy;

 c. Incorporate sustainable drainage systems to manage surface water flow rates and reduce volumes of runoff in accordance with policy F8;

 d. Use design approaches which minimise risks from overheating in accordance with policy DP3(2)(b), and include green infrastructure and suitable tree planting in accordance with policies DP3(2)(c) and N3; and

 e. Incorporate proportionate measures to mitigate against wildfires, where opportunities to do so exist and wildfires pose a particular risk (for example as a result of the combined effect of topography, prevailing wind direction and being located within or adjacent to heavily vegetated areas). Such measures should be designed to limit fuel loads for fires, and to create defendable spaces, such as by avoiding timber panel fences and incorporating firebreaks into development layouts and planting schemes.

2. Substantial weight should be given to the benefits of improving the resilience of existing buildings and public spaces to anticipated climate change impacts where this would be achieved through proposals for development.