Hope and a sense of purpose. These were the refreshing and much needed takeaways from this week’s parliamentary reception on Planning for Zero Carbon Homes, which was organised by the TCPA and Rights Community Action, and hosted by Lord Ravensdale in the House of Lords.
The room was full to the brim with representatives from diverse organisations: Council leaders, industry bodies, community groups, architects and planners, environmental consultants and developers were joined by parliamentarians, all united behind the urgent mission to see new homes built to zero carbon standards now.
Lord Ravensdale hosted the Planning for Zero Carbon Homes event at the House of Lords
Despite the frustrating context of national planning policy which is constraining local authorities that want to see new homes in their areas built to zero carbon standards (for more on this see here), the event had a positive atmosphere, supercharged by the attendance of committed professionals, ambitious local authorities and communities that are leading on this agenda.
The panel of speakers made the case as plain as day. ‘We’ve done the maths,’ said Nigel Riglar of South Gloucestershire Council, also the current chair of ADEPT’s Climate Board. In his authority, the proposed local plan policy for new homes would reduce the energy demand by 60%. In an area likely to see 22,000 new homes allocated, the carbon implications are significant.
Clare Murray spoke on behalf of LETI, a collaboration of leading consultants setting standards for net zero buildings. Since the launch of the climate emergency design guide, 60,000 homes have built to these standards proving that not only is it possible to build zero carbon homes, it’s already happening at scale. The industry is setting the pace and government policy must catch up.
Bioregional’s work with local authorities has also shown that delivery and viability are not affected by net zero policies. Alex McCann looked to authorities like Central Lincolnshire and Bath & North East Somerset where net zero planning polices are in place. His conclusion: ‘There’s no evidence that housing supply is being constrained by these policies. The feasibility and viability of the policies is evident.’
Display boards around the room set out clearly the carbon savings of building to net zero standards compared with the proposed Future Homes Standard options, and the potential energy savings to future occupants of highly fabric efficient homes.
Councillor Peter Schwier from Essex County Council emphasised that building to high standards is about more than carbon savings – there are many other benefits to gained: ‘People will live better, longer and healthier lives in net zero homes.’ Emerging local plans in Essex represent 30,000 new homes. The local ambition is for these to align to net zero policies, but the biggest potential barrier to achieving this is the Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) from the previous Government from 13 December 2023.
Now is the time for action. We have a historic opportunity to get net zero embedded in our planning system.
Casting a positive tone on proceedings, the event host, Lord Ravensdale, outlined the potential to shift policy direction in the coming months through planning reform and the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. He said, ‘Now is the time for action. We have a historic opportunity to get net zero embedded in our planning system.’
Attendees at the event were invited to support three asks that would unlock local action for net zero buildings.
- Revoke the 13 December Written Ministerial Statement on ‘Planning – Local Energy Efficiency Standards Update’ which constrains local authorities from setting policies that require net zero new buildings.
- Ensure the forthcoming revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides a clear pathway for achieving zero carbon development.
- Make sure the Planning and Infrastructure Bill clearly ties all planning decisions to the sixth carbon budget.
Rights Community Action is also taking action through the courts and has been granted leave to appeal the judgement handed down by Justice Lieven. The grounds remain that the WMS attempts to restrict the Planning and Energy Act 2008 powers for local authorities on setting policies higher than building regulations, and secondly that the Minister failed to properly take account of the environmental principles ‘when making policy’ as required by the duty set out in the Environment Act 2021. A fundraiser to support the legal case will be live until 18 December. For more information visit www.crowdjustice.com/case/support-our-fight-to-let-local/
If you are interested in learning more about, or supporting this campaign, please contact celia.davis@tcpa.org.uk
