The importance of climate change and the achievement of net zero status by 2050 is supported, recognising NPPF Paragraph 153, which requires plans to take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change.
The First Proposals document states that the spatial strategy has been informed by carbon assessment that highlights the impact that transport emissions can have, and promotes patterns of development that enable low carbon transport modes, shifting away from a reliance on the private car. Many of the rural settlements, despite being a lower order in the settlement hierarchy, are sustainably located on public transport networks, as well as having good access to local services, facilities and employment opportunities.
Land East side of Cambridge Road, Melbourn offers an opportunity to deliver much needed growth to the settlement, to support local housing need and enhance social cohesion. The site is in a sustainable location, in proximity to services and facilities and is available for development. It is considered that development within this location will encourage future occupiers to adopt sustainable modes of transport, including walking, thereby contributing to supporting healthy lifestyles and seeking to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In adapting to climate change, it should be noted that well-designed new residential development can contribute to carbon offsetting through tree planting and the delivery of sustainable technologies such as water reduction, solar panels, ground source heat pumps, high levels of installation, improved lighting and other measures, whilst encouraging existing and new communities to adopt more sustainable methods of travel, including the provision of attractive open spaces and green linkages to encourage walking and cycling.
The provision of Sustainable Drainage Systems within new development can also alleviate existing fluvial and pluvial flood issues.
Climate change policy should not be overly prescriptive such that it provides a barrier to sustainable development. It should also be acknowledged that technologies are constantly changing. For example, the shift to electric vehicles significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the private car. Therefore, policies should enable flexibility to accommodate evolution in technology and way of life.