The government plans to overhaul three planning policies to help councils deal better with planning applications for sustainable developments.

Government department Communities and Local Government has today published three draft Planning Policy Statements on climate change, coastal change, and the natural environment. CLG wants the three to act as a “green planning rulebook”.

It also announced £10m so councils can develop their skills as “green champions” so they can develop sustainable housing and energy sources.

Housing and planning minister John Healey said: “The tougher, better guidelines for planning give councils a new blueprint, reflecting the latest targets and ensuring councils put combating climate change at the heart of future development – ultimately saving people money on their bills and reducing emissions.”

TCPA chief planner Hugh Ellis welcomed the news. “In the aftermath of the failure of Copenhagen it is now crucial that we drive transformational change by empowering communities to deal with their energy need,” he said. “This policy is one the most dramatic and significant steps forward in the development of spatial planning.  The profession has to step up to the challenge of taking communities to a low carbon future.”

To read the three draft Planning Policy Statements see below:

PPS on Climate Change

PPS on Coastal Change

PPS on Natural Environment

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