A report says setting environmental targets above the national requirement could reduce the viability of future housing development across Lichfield and Burntwood.
Lichfield District Council’s cabinet will discuss the Local Plan 2040 document, which outlines aspects such as sites for new homes across the region, at a meeting next week.
The local authority had previously deferred a decision to submit the document for the next stage of the process in order to allow it to be assessed against its own climate change aspirations.
But a report to the meeting said a review of other Local Plans submitted elsewhere had identified potential issues worth considering.
“The review shows that there were eight adopted plans during this period and only one (Lambeth) indicated carbon net zero targets, and this was informed by the Greater London Plan.
“Bath and North East Somerset has also now submitted a Local Plan that sets targets focussed on reductions in energy use related to carbon-creation, although not technically a ‘carbon zero’ target, but it has not yet been tested by examination in public.
“One consideration about setting policy requirements and targets above national legislative requirements is that it may not be sustained at examination in public as the additional associated costs will reduce the viability of housing and other types of development, making it harder to impose planning obligations – including affordable housing and other community requirements – on developers.
“As an example, the Bath and North East Somerset plan acknowledges that its policies will create an additional cost of between 5% and 7%, consistent with the view of our own Local Plan viability consultants.
“It is not therefore surprising to see that the areas from the comparative review that were seeking net zero carbon targets are in London and Bath & North East Somerset – areas where developments typically have higher sales values and therefore greater viability.”
Report to Lichfield District Council’s cabinet meeting
The report said the council had been advised, following an informal review by the Planning Inspectorate, to submit its Local Plan 2040 document.
“Following an informal review and the advice taken, it is recommended that the council should now proceed, but should also continue to provide further support to its climate change aspirations through the subsequent completion of a supplementary planning document for climate change.”
Report to Lichfield District Council’s cabinet meeting
The Local Plan 2040 will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (10th May).
