Issue details

The Kirklees Local Plan seeks to achieve sustainable development through the overarching strategy, allocation of land for different uses and policies. This includes a wide range of policies relating to reducing climate change factors when new development proposals are considered.

To ensure clarity in relation to consideration of the Climate Emergency within the planning process, guidance is proposed to inform the submission of a Climate Change Statement as part of planning applications.

The guidance on the content of the Climate Change Statement provides the structure for the consideration of a range of factors in relation to the Kirklees Local Plan as well as further recommendations to reduce impacts of proposals on climate change. Such Climate Change Statements will provide further clarity for officers, elected members and the community.

The guidance will detail how applicants should consider climate change throughout the whole process of development and post development including advice relating to:

-          Minimising carbon emissions and waste during the development process

-          Renewable and low carbon energy

-          Building design and layout for carbon reduction

-          Minimising flooding impacts

-          Minimising water usage

-          Landscaping

-          Air pollution