Decision details

Adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report proposing the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), for use in determining planning applications for new development in Reading.  The following documents were attached to the report:

 

·         Appendix 1 - Equality Impact Assessment scoping

·         Appendix 2 - Statement of Consultation on the Draft Sustainable Design and Construction SPD

·         Appendix 3 - Sustainable Design and Construction SPD

 

The report explained that the SPD provided detailed guidance to accompany the new sustainability policies included in the Reading Borough Local Plan, which had been adopted by full Council on 4 November 2019 (Minute 28 refers).  In doing so, it would provide an essential part of the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency.

 

The report noted that a draft SPD had been approved for consultation by the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 9 July 2019 (Minute 10 refers), and consultation had taken place between July and September 2019, with a total of 18 responses received.  A Statement of Consultation summarising the process and the responses received was attached to the report at Appendix 2. A revised version of the SPD taking account of the consultation response was attached to the report at Appendix 3, and was recommended for formal adoption.

 

The report noted that where a development was not carbon neutral a financial contribution to carbon offsetting would be secured through a section 106 agreement.  This was expected to provide a steady stream of funds to be put towards carbon offsetting schemes and the report set out initial proposals for how these funds raised could be managed and spent.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)         That the results of the consultation on the Draft Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document undertaken between July and September 2019, as set out in the Consultation Statement attached to the report at Appendix 2, be noted;

 

(2)     That the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD, as attached to the report at Appendix 3, be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document;

 

(3)     That the initial proposals for the use of funds towards carbon offsetting secured under Policy H5 of the Local Plan as supplemented by the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD be noted.

Publication date: 20/01/2020

Date of decision: 16/12/2019

Decided at meeting: 16/12/2019 - Policy Committee

Accompanying Documents: