Question 9. How do you think we should be reducing our impact on the climate? Have we missed any key actions?

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

Achieving net zero carbon emissions as an objective of the plan is an ambitious goal which directly complies with paragraph 16a of the National Planning Policy Framework's assertion that Plan-making should be ambitious. European Property ventures (Cambridge) consider that the policy approach to meet this aspiration should be to promote patterns of development that enable travel by low-carbon modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. The focus of the Climate Change strategy should therefore seek to focus development within sustainable communities where everyday needs can be accessed by these modes of transport. To achieve this, development must be provided to reinforce existing rural settlements at Rural Service Centre and Rural Centres to ensure that suffcient population is resident to support existing schools, social facilties, health services and businesses. Any strategy that continues to focus develoment at only the largest settlements will cause the smaller sustainable locations to fail and cause an over-concentration of environmental impacts. Summary of Comments: To achieve this objective existing rural communities must be supported through appropriate expansion.

5.10 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework that recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

Housebuilding and commercial building on farm land should be halted or reduced to an absolute minimum.Re-use of existing buildings and proper brownfield sites (not old airfields that are mostly grassland bisected by a few strips of concrete) should be maximised, Central government should be pressed to maximise regeneration, particularly in the Midlands and the North. There should be no new major road building. More attention should be paid to the provision/retention of suitable employment space in local communities to reduce the need for commuting and to prevent rural communities becoming dormitories. High speed broadband should be a priority to encourage home or village working. More consideration must be given to the provision and operation of public transport. Housing density in the City and major developments outside should be high. Ensure that known empty dwellings in the City and District are identified and indexed. If empty for a certain period, the owners should be invited to ensure occupation or the local authorities should have the power to compulsory purchase the properties to renovate them and rent to those on the housing list or offer for sale. CPRE recommends that more research and development is carried out into the environmental capacity of the plan area to determine its ability to accommodate any further growth taking into account the effects on wildlife, bio-diversity, tranquillity, climate change, adaptation, national food supply, flood risk, water supply, actual sustainability and pressure on infrastructure.

4.10 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives. 4.11 The densification and redevelopment of brownfield sites such as Kett House and 10 Station Road offer opportunities to maximise energy efficiency measures on site and achieving low carbon development, thereby helping to achieve the Council’s climate change targets.

We support the Councils’ recognition of the severity of the climate change issue and recognition of the key issues and challenges of reducing our climate impact and the need to adapt to more extreme weather, a hotter climate and a changing ecology. We support key actions to address climate change including:  Using renewable and low carbon energy generation;  Promoting sustainable travel and discouraging car use where possible;  Retrofitting existing buildings;  Rooftop greening – this could be extended to generally extending and enhancing the ecological network We generally support the promotion of climate change adaptation measures including:  Managing flood risk and incorporating SUDS;  Increasing biodiversity and tree planting;  Improving water efficiency. The Plan should prioritise avoiding key factors contributing to climate change (through more greenhouse gases) e.g. pollution, habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity and to protecting and enhancing the natural environment’s resilience to change. Green Infrastructure and resilient ecological networks play an important role in aiding climate change adaptation. Development should be located and designed to remove/reduce reliance on car travel, promoting sustainable travel to improve air quality and its contribution to climate change. Development should incorporate multi-functional sustainable drainage and flood risk management measures in accordance with the SPD. Plan policies should focus on securing implementation of an enhanced and extended ecological network that will deliver climate change mitigation in addition to wider environmental services. This should be delivered through appropriate policy requirements. We are aware that an Integrated Water Management Study, incorporating a Water Cycle Study and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, is being progressed as a key evidence document to inform preparation of the Local Plan. We welcome this and urge for a strong focus /recommendation for the implementation of integrated drainage including multi-functional SUDs in all development, where possible. It should also identify and promote delivery of benefits and opportunities associated with climate change, for example to create more extensive wetland habitats and to protect and enhance the degraded peat soils remaining in the Greater Cambridge area. Without appropriate measures new development will harm Greater Cambridge’s natural natural Page 3 of 15 environment. Measures to avoid impacts must be prioritised. Cambridgeshire is especially dependent on its groundwater which is currently being pumped dry with knock-on effects for the natural environment including water quality and biodiversity. In addition to new buildings climate change requires retrofitting of existing buildings. Revised and more ambitious water consumption targets are also needed. The Plan should include appropriate policies to secure delivery of the recommendations identified through the Integrated Water Study. We would also advise that consideration be given to updating the existing Flood and Water Supplementary Planning Document to reflect current BNG and climate / net zero carbon targets. The Local Plan and relevant policies should reflect the importance of remaining peat soils as a significant carbon store that can help to improve air quality and mitigate against climate change. The development strategy and relevant policies should seek to protect Best and Most Versatile Land, including peat soils, and contribute towards enhancement of degraded peat to deliver a wide range of environmental services including biodiversity, open space, flood risk and drainage benefits, in addition to helping to mitigate climate change. With regard to tree planting for carbon offsetting Natural England advises that planting of trees needs to be considered in the context of wider plans for nature recovery. Tree planting should only be carried out in appropriate locations, taking into consideration potential impacts on existing ecology and the opportunities to create alternative habitats that could deliver better enhancements for people and wildlife, and also store carbon effectively. Where woodland habitat creation is appropriate, consideration should be given to natural regeneration for the economic and ecological benefits this can achieve. Any tree planting should use native and local provenance tree species suitable for the location. Natural England advocates an approach which seeks to increase biodiversity and green infrastructure generally, not simply planting of trees, and protecting / enhancing soils, particularly peat soils.

- If it is the case that lower growth and lower population growth within the GC area is excluded from consideration by virtue of commitments already made to Government, this point should be clearly stated since it is otherwise lower growth would be a key action.

4.8 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives. The planning process is taking too long to bring key brownfield sites forward; the draft AAP was first consulted on in 2014. The merits of early developments on this site needs to be clearly recognised.

4.9 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

2.1 Magdalene College fully commits to reducing its impact on the climate and supports the aspirations of the Local Plan with regard to climate change. 2.2 However, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of the College’s building stock is historic – some dating back more than 600 years. Achieving energy efficiency whilst maintaining user comfort and not harming the heritage significance of the buildings is a difficult balancing act. Question 9 – Reducing our impact on the climate 2.3 In terms of missing key actions, the College recognises that the present local plan includes Policy 30 (energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings) and Policy 63 (works to a heritage asset to address climate change) and that the Council has produced the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD. However, with regard to historic buildings, the latter provides little additional information particularly in terms of advice on how heritage significance should be weighed against energy efficiency in practical ways. 2.4 The College is also aware that guidance has been produced by Historic England and other respected bodies. The former is often quite specific and relates to specific aspects of building fabric, such as insulation or windows, whilst the latter is often generic or looks at specific building types. Its use is therefore limited given that historic buildings are hugely varied and often have evolved over centuries and comprise a mixture of construction types and materials. 2.5 This dearth of practical information needs to be addressed in the new local plan (and possibly also in revised SPD). What is needed is an understandable methodology for assessing climate change benefits; clearly defining the heritage significance of buildings and their component parts; balancing different levels of harm to different features; how you measure the resultant heritage harm and then combine all this information together to decide which measures are acceptable. 2.6 The College feel that the Council needs to work proactively with others both in developing an evidence base to support any policy / guidance and consequently learning from best practice, both in Cambridge and elsewhere. A failure of the current local plan policy is that all the emphasis is placed on the applicant to provide information. At a time when the Council has declared a ‘climate emergency’ there needs to be a much more joined up and collaborative approach to this issue. 2.7 There is also a need for clear guidance for situations where carbon offsetting is justified to prevent unacceptable harm to heritage significance and for prescription as to the form this offsetting should take when it is justified. Similarly there needs to be guidance on what is expected to show it is proportionate to the scale of harm resulting. 2.8 Finally, in its present form, Policy 63 is imprecise with its requirements for monitoring and its triggering possible remediation works as this is unhelpful and unworkable. There must be a clear rationale for when monitoring is needed and what aspects of heritage significance this is aiming to safeguard.

2.8 The current Cambridge Local Plan (2018) identifies a strategic district heating area, which covers much of the City Centre. It identifies that Cambridge shows significant potential for the development of district heating networks in the City Centre. However, apart from where large developments on the fringes of the City can support the construction of this type of infrastructure, the application of this policy has been ambiguous. The supporting text to the existing policy is clear that ‘a benefit of such a network is that it provides developers with a ready-made solution for them to meet future planning policy and zero carbon policy requirements at minimum cost’. 2.9 Therefore, as part of the emerging Local Plan, the College considers that the Councils must identify how these networks can be delivered and by doing so show how constrained City Centre sites, where opportunities for other renewable and low-carbon energy generation may be limited, could link into the networks. Sites with heritage assets or in areas of high archaeological potential that would have difficulty harnessing solar, wind, or ground source heat, would then have a feasible route for developing buildings that are net zero carbon. 2.10 Finally, the College considers that currently the practice amongst officers of resisting even relatively minor changes to heritage assets is a barrier to development, even when the benefits in sustainability terms are significant. Such practice has very clear implications for institutions with a portfolio of heritage assets because it affects their ability to meet climate change targets. If this nationally significant issue is to be addressed, a more balanced and pragmatic approach needs to be adopted by the Councils.

2.5 In terms of missing key actions, IWM recognises that the present local plan includes policies such as NH/15 (Heritage Assets and Adapting to Climate Change) and that the Council has produced the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD. However, with regard to historic buildings, the latter provides little additional information particularly in terms of advice on how heritage significance should be weighed against energy efficiency in practical ways. 2.6 IWM is also aware that guidance has been produced by Historic England and other respected bodies. The former is often quite specific and relates to specific aspects of building fabric, such as insulation or windows, whilst the latter is often generic or looks at residential building types. Its use is therefore limited given that many of the historic buildings at Duxford were designed for specific functions, of cheap / readily available materials and at a time when comfort and safety were differently perceived. 2.7 This lack of practical information needs to be addressed in the new local plan (and possibly also in revised SPD). What is needed is an understandable methodology for assessing climate change benefits; clearly defining the heritage significance of buildings and their component parts; balancing different levels of harm to different features; how you measure the resultant heritage harm and then to bring all this information together to decide which measures are acceptable. 2.8 IWM feel that the Council needs to work proactively with it and others both in developing an evidence base to support any policy / guidance and consequently learning from best practice, both in Gt Cambridge and elsewhere. A failure of the current local plan policy is that all the emphasis is placed on the applicant to provide information. At a time when the Council has declared a ‘climate emergency’ there needs to be a much more joined up and collaborative approach to this issue. 2.9 There is also a need for clear guidance for situations where carbon offsetting is justified. Altering some of the cheaply-built, utilitarian structures at Duxford to reduce their carbon footprint would fundamentally alter their heritage significance and their authenticity. Similarly, flying historic aircraft cannot in itself be done without a carbon footprint. 2.10 Offsetting is therefore the obvious answer. IWM would be keen to work with the Council to discuss the situations where offsetting is desirable or is acceptable and what form this should take so that it is of direct relevance to the place or issue concerned.

No response proposed.

4.4.1 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Adopted January 2020). This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework that recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

4.8 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

4.8 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives.

4.14 We agree with the approach that aims to: • Design new communities, infrastructure and buildings to be energy and resource efficient, both in the way they are built and the way they are used over their lifespan. • Using renewable and low carbon energy generation. • Promoting patterns of development that enable travel by low-carbon modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. • Discouraging our communities from using private cars where possible, and other lifestyle choices that affect the climate. • Retrofitting existing buildings to be more energy efficient. • Considering the role of the plan regarding materials used in the construction process. • Investigating how carbon offsetting can be supported through tree planting and other measures. • Supporting local and community opportunities for growing food 4.15 The councils previous approach has often been large scale significant developments but this does not allow existing areas to improve. The opportunity to support development within existing communities that would improve the impact on climate change should be considered within the Local Plan. The current focus has not allowed the overall benefits to be dispersed amongst the existing community as the councils have focused on the belief that only these significant developments can bring sustainable communities. This ignores the significant impact that existing development may have and without new development and the potential to change, no improvement for these residents will take place without moving house or travelling to work. There is a need to balance the growth strategy to ensure existing settlements are improved along with the offering from large new developments.

This Plan needs to focus on the impact of land use choices on Climate Change, and on the adaptation of new developments to facilitate radical changes in, for example, vehicle use and modal shift in transport, and in sources of energy. These decisions must enable us to meet employment and housing needs and to maximise our use of public transport or zero-carbon modes of transport. In the immediate future, this will require development to be concentrated in urban areas, and on public transport corridors. A failure to meet demand, especially for affordable housing, in proximity to employment will inevitably lead to more distance commuting and car use by families who would otherwise avoid it. Developments should also be designed to adapt to Climate Change- driven changes in, for example risks of extreme weather events; and to support future-proofing of mobility, employment and transport. There will be no unique answers in predicting this, so the Planning Authority needs to engage developers in a continuing debate about these issues and ensure the Local Plan is sufficiently flexible to be able to accommodate and adapt to the fast-paced evolution of technology. The Climate change impact of poorer energy performance housing will remain very substantial unless and until we can retro-fit energy efficiency in the existing housing stock. We would want to see policies which would give support to developments which will bring zero-carbon sources of energy to existing settlements by virtue of the investment in new homes or offices and industry. Similarly, if householders are able to adapt their homes to meet a zero-carbon standard, they should benefit from a permitted development right. The Government’s consultation on a Future Homes Standard is setting an ambitious timetable for improving the environmental performance of new homes; this should be reflected in Building Regulations and should not be duplicated through the Planning processes.

4.10 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework the recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives. 4.11 The densification and redevelopment of brownfield sites such as the Travis Perkins site offer opportunities to maximise energy efficiency measures on site and achieving low carbon development, thereby helping to achieve the Council’s climate change targets.

3.13 Securing zero carbon homes in operation is the key way in which we can reduce our impact on the planet and slow the effects of climate change. The Vision document prepared by Terence O’Rourke explains how the homes at Trumpington South can achieve zero carbon through a range of methods, including fabric first construction, water management, low energy environmental strategies and passive design features. It can also be achieved by encouraging the use of sustainable transport and planning around these important links as the masterplan in the Vision document explains. 3.14 Should the site be allocated, Trumpington South is committed to delivering zero carbon homes in operation and creating a place that contributes positively to climate change, as demonstrated by the Sustainability Workshop Summary Report prepared by BuroHappold. Trumpington South is located in an established travel culture and is exceptionally well connected to nearby jobs and land uses. Its location can enable car free and/or housing with limited in-curtilage parking to promote sustainable mobility and travel.

4.9 Greater Cambridge is a leading local authority on climate change policy, such as through the early declaration of a climate change emergency and also through the newly adopted Sustainable Development SPD. This leadership should continue, as it is central to the sustainable development of Cambridge, leading to better development for humans, the environment, and for economic development. It should be borne in mind that Cambridge's knowledge economy increasingly demands high sustainability standards: sustainability, health and wellbeing, with climate change at the heart, is a key part of continuing Cambridge's economic development. This should remain a priority as part of a policy framework that recognises climate change as a key part of sustainable development across social, environmental and economic objectives. 4.10 Locating development on land at Papworth offers opportunities to maximise energy efficiency measures on site and achieving low carbon development, thereby helping to achieve the Council’s climate change targets, while benefiting an existing community.

• Supply chain transparency • Working with nature to create, restore and better manage native habitats that provide carbon storage (e.g. tree / hedgerow planting, coppicing woodland and restoring peatland) for the sake of reduction of carbon emissions. The current wording around carbon offsetting is not ideal (as this implies that other harmful activities can take place as long as the outputs of those are offset when in fact we need to be working to reduce current emissions). • Tree and hedgerow planting has so many other benefits too for biodiversity and adaptation (e.g. to the effects of heat/shade on communities and nature and the effects of winds on soil erosion) that tree planting is a key measure in its own right. However, trees must not be planted at the expense of other important habitats, with the right tree being planted in the right location. A tree strategy should be developed to explore this further. WITH REFERENCE TO 4.1.3 In May 2019, Cambridgeshire County Council declared a Climate and Environment Emergency and has prepared a draft strategy outlining how the Council plans to reduce its carbon footprint and how it can collaborate with others. Climate change is therefore a high priority with both local and central government and will impact the delivery of our services, including Education. A change to the Building Regulations on 1 January 2019 requires all new buildings owned and occupied by public authorities must be ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’. The County Council will demonstrate compliance with the Regulations and will amend its policies and specification to require all new buildings to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB).

3.13 Securing zero carbon homes in operation is the key way in which we can reduce our impact on the planet and slow the effects of climate change. The Vision document prepared by xx explains how the homes at Trumpington South can achieve zero carbon through a range of methods, including fabric first construction, water management, low energy environmental strategies and passive design features. It can also be achieved by encouraging the use of sustainable transport and planning around these important links as the masterplan in the Vision document explains. 3.14 Should the site be allocated, Trumpington South is committed to delivering zero carbon homes in operation and creating a place that contributes positively to climate change, as demonstrated by the Sustainability Workshop Summary Report prepared by BuroHappold. Trumpington South is located in an established travel culture and is exceptionally well connected to nearby jobs and land uses. Its location can enable car free and/or housing with limited in-curtilage parking to promote sustainable mobility and travel.

Net zero carbon can be achieved through a range of methods, including energy efficient homes, carbon monitoring, low carbon technologies and passive design features. It can also be achieved by encouraging the use of sustainable transport and planning around these important links. Encouraging travel by sustainable transport could help foster community interaction and ensure less mobile groups, such as the elderly, can access the services and facilities they need. Adapting to the effects of climate change, such as considering cooling buildings, using water resources efficiently and being prepared for increased flood risk and extreme weather events are part of this. Green infrastructure is also a key tool in adapting to climate change.

REFERENCE TO PARA 4.1.3. There is no reference to the Circular Economy, (the principle of designing out waste and pollution, and keeping materials in use), in the First Conservation report or in the Sustainability Appraisal Framework. It is suggested that this should be included.

The development at Land to the South East of Cambridge will support the emerging Local Plan’s aims with regards to the theme of climate change, most notably through its location. It is a highly accessible site that can encourage low-carbon transportation use: building on existing habits in this location and enhancing local cycling and walking networks to limit private car use. CEG would also pursue on site elements to bring forward a scheme where homes are high-quality, energy efficient, and well-designed to promote low-carbon lifestyles. This is all to promote a potentially net zero carbon scheme.

Summary: The proposed list of measures is examplar and we have proposed a number of other key items to be included. Full text: We commend the list of climate change mitigation measures provided and would recommend the addition of the following: + Plan land uses and patterns of development that increase opportunities for energy sharing; + Support initiatives to increase opportunities for virtual renewable energy generation, sharing, trading and procurement, including community participation and affordability initiatives; + Require a circular economy strategy and approach to building and infrastructural design and construction (e.g. refurbishment, upcycling, design for dissessembly, material passports etc.); + Support local and community initiatives and amenities that encourage residents to stay local and travel short distances on foot, by bicycle and non-fossil fuel transport; + Reinforce the infrastructure required to support electric vehicles.

WITH REFERENCE TO 4.1.3 In May 2019, Cambridgeshire County Council declared a Climate and Environment Emergency and has prepared a draft strategy outlining how the Council plans to reduce its carbon footprint and how it can collaborate with others. Climate change is therefore a high priority with both local and central government and will impact the delivery of our services, including Education. A change to the Building Regulations on 1 January 2019 requires all new buildings owned and occupied by public authorities must be ‘Nearly Zero Energy Buildings’. The County Council will demonstrate compliance with the Regulations and will amend its policies and specification to require all new buildings to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB).

The report to the Committee on Climate Change ‘Behaviour change, public engagement and Net Zero’ identifies that surface transport currently accounts for 27% of UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, over half of which is from cars. While heating hot water of UK homes make up 25% of total UK energy use and 15% of our GHG emissions. The GCLP will have to plan for the development requirements of the Greater Cambridge area, and in doing so has the ability to do so in a way that minimises the impacts on climate change. UDC support the actions identified, and in particular the managing the actions detailed below will be important: - Through the location of development: by planning for development so as to maximise options for transport by means other than the car. This will mean that new residents are not locked into car dependant lifestyles. - Through the planning of new transport infrastructure: the infrastructure that is planned to support new and existing development should focus in the first instance on support trips by means other than the car. Increasing the capacity of the highway network for trips by the car should be the last stage option considered when supporting new development. - Through sustainable design and construction, while the government has indicated that its preferred route for managing energy efficiency in new buildings is through Building Control there is still a role for planning.

2.15 The suggested mitigation measures identified in Section 4.1.3 of the Issues & Options consultation document are supported. It is considered that the selection of suitable development sites which could deliver those climate mitigation measures will be key to reducing the impact on the climate. Beyond the recommended mitigation measures, we would also encourage putting in place stakeholder behaviour change initiatives in order ensure sustainable choices become part of everyday life. This might include putting in place neighbourhood Sustainability champions or hubs. 2.16 With regards to offsetting, we would encourage looking to create mechanisms whereby offsetting also looked at providing improved insulation and treatment to existing buildings within the area. 2.17 We would also recommend that when designing new communities and buildings, a maximum kgCO2e/m2 of is set for different building types, i.e. offices, homes, apartments, schools etc. By setting a benchmark level, this will encourage new developments to steer design and construction to solutions to reduce the embodied carbon of the materials they use. Reference can be made to recent RIBA targets: https://www.architecture.com/-/media/files/Climate-action/RIBA-2030-Climate-Challenge.pdf