NAPE's climate change champion Michael Lloyd Hughes was contacted for NAPE’s views on ‘Shaping the Government’s approach to enabling adaptation to climate change’

The request was seeking views about what type of information planning enforcement officers need about climate change. Unfortunately the request came in at short notice so it was not possible to send this out for consultation with members. However, Mike responded and is comments are shown below.

The researchers were investigating:

• what type of information they need.
• where they currently get their information from,
• and whether it fits their needs.

The work will feed into a report in mid-February for the Adapting to Climate Change team in Defra. 

The Questions asked were:

How do you gain the expertise that you need to prepare for the changing climate? What is the extent of inhouse expertise / academic learning / consultancy in this area?

A: I only became a Climate Champion last week, and as a compliance officer I have no first hand experience or expertise in climate change. However I am keen to get involved and I have started by looking at websites and documents, including Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1, the last paragraph of which mentions planning enforcement and compliance.

Is the policy framework now in place: for the development of estates and towns which are suitable for the future climate; for modifying existing developments at risk from climate change? If not where are the major gaps?

A: The impression that I get is that the policy framework is there, as the Planning Act 2008 places statutory duties on both regional and local plan-makers to take action on climate change. The Planning Act underpins the policies in the PPS by introducing statutory duties on regional and local plans to take action on climate change. The 2008 Planning and Energy Act effectively gives statutory support for the policies of the PPS on local requirements for local energy and sustainable buildings.

Is there a shared understanding between the different players of what needs to be done – how is this promoted? what would be necessary to promote this?

A: Local planning authorities need to be tough and clear when considering integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation policies into their core strategies.

Looking now at technical guidance, what technical standards and guidance are missing or inadequate for future proofing developments? Are there particular routes (communities/qualifications) that Government should use to ensure that the developments are climate change proof?

A: I do not know.

Are there any aspects of the regulatory regime that get in the way of adapting to climate change.

A: Not in my experience.

Are budgetary pressures generally the limiting factor?

A: I would assume that people may say that training budgets have been cut, however there are documents on line such as PAS’s ‘Show me the evidence: climate change and the evidence base for core strategies’, which I thought gave good examples of practice from around the country.

Author:

Catherine Middleton

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

18-Jun-10

Categories:

 

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