To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to write to all local authorities in England asking them to consider climate change in making planning decisions, including major developments.
Answered on
21 February 2023
The Government has made clear in the National Planning Policy Framework that local planning authorities plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change in line with the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. The Framework must, as a matter of law, be taken into account in preparing the development plan, and is a material consideration in planning decisions.
Furthermore, as part of our wider ambitions for an improved planning system we intend to review the Framework to ensure that it contributes to climate change mitigation and adaption as fully as possible. The publication of the consultation on reforms to national planning policy, published 22 December 2022, is a first step in this process.