More than 100 business leaders have written to the Prime Minister calling for the Net Zero transition, along with nature’s recovery and climate resilience, to be at the heart of the UK’s new planning system.
The letter was co-ordinated by the Aldersgate Group and UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and says that it is vital that the Planning Bill drives a strategic approach to the Net Zero transition, ensuring that development that is resilient to the impacts of climate change, and that nature can be supported and restored.
The letter highlights how planning can play a fundamental role in meeting the Government’s new homes target, achieving its environmental goals, and delivering the infrastructure that is needed for the transition to a decarbonised, climate-resilient economy.
The letter calls for:
- The new Planning Bill to align directly with, and support, the UK’s net zero target and ambitions for nature set out in the Environment Bill.
- Clarity on how land allocated for ‘growth’ will be compatible with achieving net zero, securing nature’s recovery and delivering development resilient to the impacts of climate change.
- Genuinely enhanced levels of protection in planning for designations in the Environment Bill intended to support nature’s recovery.
- Increased resourcing and skills support for local planning authorities, in order to support their ability to set local targets, and deliver across multiple objectives in their local areas.
The letter has been sent to the Prime Minister, alongside Secretaries of State Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Rt Hon George Eustice MP and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP.
Signe Norberg, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at Aldersgate Group, said: “Reforms to the planning system present an opportunity for Government to not only tackle one of the most significant social challenges facing the country – the housing crisis – but also to ensure that our planning framework actively supports the UK’s climate and environmental ambitions. To reach net zero emissions by 2050 and reverse the decline of the natural environment, it will be essential that the planning system fully integrates these issues at the heart of the new legislation. By setting forward a strategic approach to planning in line with this, Government can unlock private sector investment, create jobs, generate vital low carbon skills, and build homes that are fit for the future.”
