2030 Local Plan Review Evidence Base documents

To support the review of the 2030 Local Plan and the introduction of stronger policies to address the impacts of climate change, consultants have been commissioned by the Council to undertake a Climate Change Study. Land Use Consultants (LUC) have led on the production of the Study, with assistance from Aether Ltd and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE).

The Study is made up of five elements of work, presented in four reports as follows:

Emission Pathways Report (Task 1)

This report models two scenarios – a ‘business as usual’ emissions pathway to 2050 showing the likely impacts of already ‘locked-in’ decarbonisation actions; and an alternative ‘emissions reduction trajectory’ which illustrates the possible impacts of alternative, stronger actions, including societal changes. This trajectory demonstrates the scale of action/intervention required to reach net zero emissions in Runnymede and helps justify the introduction of stronger climate change planning policies.  

• Emission Pathways Report (December 2023)

Low Carbon Development and Sustainable Design Principles Report (Tasks 2 & 3)

This report identifies policy options to help ensure the revised Local Plan better supports the transition to a low/zero carbon Runnymede. The report draws on best practice case studies from other local authorities and references the latest standards and metrics that could be used in emerging planning policies. It provides policy options covering low/zero carbon buildings, renewable/low carbon energy generation, embodied carbon, addressing the performance gap, and sustainable transport and active travel. It also includes a section identifying measures that could be taken to strengthen the implementation of existing 2030 Local Plan climate change policies in the interim period until a revised Local Plan is adopted.

• Low Carbon Development and Sustainable Design Principles Report (December 2023)

Renewable Energy Assessment Report (Task 4)

The NPPF states that Local Plans should consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources, and supporting infrastructure, where this would help secure their development. This report goes some way to achieve this, identifying the ‘technical’ potential of various technologies being deployed in the Borough, including wind, solar, heat pumps and heat networks. The report also considers factors such as grid connection which may affect the extent to which these technologies can be deployed.

The report is accompanied by an Assumptions Note, explaining the assumptions used in the assessment. Both reports are large documents and may take some time to download.

• Renewable Energy Assessment Report (December 2023)
• Renewable Assessment Key Assumptions Note (December 2023)

Climate Change Adaptation (Task 5)

This report identifies the likely future climatic conditions that will be experienced in Runnymede and identifies ways in which the Local Plan policies can be strengthened (or new policies introduced) to better adapt new development and the built environment to the changing climate. Policy options cover flood risk reduction, overheating, water resource management, supporting nature recovery and resilience, green infrastructure and carbon sequestration.

• Climate Change Adaptation Report

The Climate Change Study will help justify and support the emerging climate-related policies of the revised Local Plan, once work on the Local Plan Review resumes