Planning proposals in Stevenage will have to demonstrate their contribution to mitigating climate change, if new plans drawn up by the borough council are confirmed.

Stevenage Borough Council have launched a public consultation on the Partial Review of the Local Plan for 2011-2031.

The Local Plan is the key planning document that describes and guides how and where new housing and other infrastructure can be delivered in Stevenage.

A "stronger approach" to climate change and changes to the way in which House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) applications are considered are two of the key changes proposed to the Local Plan.

As part of the revised Plan, climate change policies would be placed "at the top" of the council's strategic planning policies.

There would be a requirement for "development to contribute to both mitigating and adapting to climate change". Currently, there is only a "presumption in favour of sustainable development".

Areas which would be assessed to determine whether applications meet the new requirements include: reducing greenhouse gas emissions; storing carbon; preventing overheating and flooding; efficiency in water usage; producing clean energy; contributing to local green economy.

Emission reduction targets would be applied to developments "according to their scale", and the council would "strongly support development proposals whose primary purpose is to generate ultra-low and zero carbon energy with a surplus to be injected into the national grid".

Currently, "almost all" of Stevenage's energy is provided from outside the borough.

Proposals would have to include 'green roofs' - roofs covered by vegetation - unless there are "clear and convincing reasons" for not including them.

There would also be a requirement to ensure that new homes do not have a potable water consumption exceeding 110 litres per person per day. Water consumption in Stevenage is above the national average, according to the council, with "severe water stress" in the area.

Stevenage Borough Council declared a "climate emergency" in 2019, and is targeting net zero carbon emissions in Stevenage by 2030.

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The revised Plan would also include a "very strong presumption" against the loss of trees and woodland, according to the council's head of planning.

This would sit alongside a requirement for new streets to be lined with trees unless there are "clear, justifiable and compelling" reasons for them not to be so.

Policy on HMOs is another area where change is proposed.

A new section in the Plan would state that planning permission will only be granted where the proposed HMO would have an "acceptable" impact on housing supply.

Currently, there are 228 licensed HMOs in Stevenage, out of a total of 37,000 households.

The wording around the Station Gateway project - including the proposed relocation of the sports and theatre facilities at the Arts & Leisure Centre - would see minor changes.

The project includes the proposed "major reconfiguration" of Lytton Way; a recent Area Action Plan said that the council's preferred option was to make the section of the road that runs alongside Tesco and the railway station open to taxis and buses only.

Other changes to the Plan could include:

  • Changes to use classes (i.e. for what purposes a given building can be used)
  • A renewed emphasis on the importance of Garden City principles
  • A revised policy on water management and flood risk
  • A requirement for new developments to provide sufficient ducting space for full fibre internet connections
  • Changes to adaptable/accessible housing

A public consultation on the revised Local Plan is open until August 15, and can be viewed at www.stevenagelocalplan.commonplace.is.

After feedback has been reviewed and any necessary changes have been made, the revised Local Plan is expected to come into effect next year.

The Plan identified a need for 7,600 new homes in Stevenage between 2011 and 2031, and this number will not change during the partial review, which is "limited to necessary changes only", according to a council document.