District Matters

Planning needs a green plan

October 2023

Stratford District Council is working on a future Local Plan. This Plan provides a framework for future development in the district. It is a Government requirement that Local Plans should be produced and reviewed every five years and be consistent with national legislation and guidance.

Without an up-to-date Local Plan, councils can lack the policies they need to prevent inappropriate or damaging development in their area. Development can still take place, but there is little or no ability to control where development should go. There is also less ability to require the schools, open space, health facilities and community halls needed to support communities. This district has had experience of the development that comes without a Local Plan in place and the lack of vital infrastructure that result.

The Local Plan helps us to determine the mix of homes in our area. Over the past 30 years, across the country, there has been a shift in the type of housing built by private developers towards larger homes and away from two and 1-bedroom homes. In addition, the numbers of social and affordable-to-rent houses have dropped. Affordability has become a problem with fewer genuinely affordable homes delivered in recent years. The Government definition of an affordable home is up-to 80% of the market rate, which in our area is not affordable. Having genuinely affordable housing in place helps young people and saves on homelessness-related costs.

Local Plans have to be able to address needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the local economy, community facilities and infrastructure. However, they must also safeguard the environment, enable adaptation to climate change and help secure high quality accessible design.

Government legislation covers much of the process, but the law and policy is not necessarily well integrated. A major gap is in the response to climate change. The planning system is a key lever to make sure that buildings, transport systems and land use help us to adapt to the future challenges of climate change.

Recent research commissioned by the Climate Change Committee highlighted the lack of key guidance on addressing climate change. Effective planning is crucial to tackling the climate crisis and, according to their research, England has failed to keep up with global best practice.

The CCC report said that there is a lack of clarity and detail as to how local authorities should tackle climate change and adaptation. A key quote was: 'Addressing climate change robustly through the planning system will save money in the long run and offer significant economic opportunities. Failing to adapt and deal with climate change will lead to severe social, health and economic consequences'.

On a recent Ward visit, residents said that putting in place the structures needed to build a community should have more importance in the thinking behind a Local Plan. We have to do more to empower communities, protecting them and providing the foundations of consent. Congratulations go to Parish Councils with Neighbourhood Plans as this provides us with a clear vision of community preferences.

Councillors play a vital role in making sure that the Local Plan takes account of local circumstances and community wishes. Our role is help make sure that the wishes and needs of our residents are expressed, that the most sustainable choices are made and that we are preparing for the future of our grandchildren.