For the provision of Climate Change Evidence Documents

A key issue for consideration in the Local Plan Update is the role of planning in responding to the climate emergency to its fullest potential. This will include setting robust evidence based carbon reduction targets and delivering net zero carbon development, or as close to this ambition as possible, whilst still accommodating the required level of growth.

The purpose of the Climate Change evidence base is to support the Local Plan Update to shape new development in the district in ways that mitigate and adapt to climate change and will support our transition to a low and eventually net zero carbon future whilst building in local resilience. This evidence base will need to be compliant with the legal duties placed on local planning authorities in respect of climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as the requirements of the NPPF as outlined in section 2.

Six documents are sought within this commission initially, followed by two further elements of work relating to later stages of preparation of the Local Plan Update. In summary, the scope of the work required is:

• Document A: The role of the Local Plan Update in responding to climate change
• Document B: Position statement and analysis of baseline and forecast future emissions
• Document C: The contribution of sustainable design to achieving net zero carbon
• Document D: Assessment of spatial strategy options
• Document E: Infrastructure and renewable energy
• Document F: Offsetting and sequestering emissions
• Task G: Review of the draft proposed submission Local Plan Update (or equivalent)
• Task H: Input in examination in public of the Local Plan Update