The ground-breaking new planning policy document is being developed as part of the Council’s ambitious Climate Emergency Action Plan which aims to ensure that new buildings do not continue to impact on climate change.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Councillor Alan Rhead commented:

“Reducing the carbon footprint of our buildings was one of the key priorities identified by the People’s Inquiry on Climate Change. Housing makes up around 20% of all carbon emissions across Warwick District, with institutional, industrial and commercial buildings making up a further 20%. We are therefore keen to hear what local people and organisations think about the new zero carbon policy we are proposing.”

“By acting now, we can ensure that developers play their part in designing homes that do not use fossil fuels, therefore avoiding the need for expensive retrofits when the old-style energy systems become redundant. This proposed policy document, combined with our own net-zero council house building programme, will enable our district to address head on, the need for change in the way new homes are built for the benefit of generations to come.”

The public consultation runs from 26 July until 13 September with the full documentation and information on how to respond available on the Council’s website. Once this stage has been completed the policy document will be amended to take account of representation received and will then be subject to examination by an independent government inspector.

If successful it is hoped that the new Zero Carbon planning policy can be adopted by the Council in 2022.