GREEN-thinking plans to reduce the carbon footprint of all new buildings in Warwick district have received a government thumbs up.
The new planning policy, which places an expectation on developers to deliver new homes and buildings in the district that are Net Zero Carbon, has received approval from the government’s planning inspector.
The requirements detailed in the Net Zero Carbon Development Plan Document are already being given significant weight in the determination of planning applications and are a critical strand of Warwick District Council’s ambitious Climate Emergency Action Plan.
The policy will be considered by Cabinet on May 15, who will then determine whether to put it forward for formal adoption by the council.
WDC’s climate change spokesperson Dave Barber said: “Reducing the carbon footprint of all buildings is a key priority identified in the council’s corporate strategy. Housing makes up around 20 per cent of all carbon emissions across Warwick district, with institutional, industrial and commercial buildings making up a further 20 per cent. The council is therefore delighted to be implementing this planning policy in the district, and also extremely proud to be among the first councils in the country to do so.
“By acting now, the council can ensure that developers play their part in designing homes that do not use fossil fuels, therefore avoiding the need for expensive retrofits when the old-style energy systems become redundant. This new policy document will enable the district to help address the need for change in the way new homes are built for the benefit of generations to come.”
