(1) 2.  Policy Background

2.1 The SPD is underpinned by a range of national, regional and local policy documents and strategies.

National Policy

2.2 The Government’s commitment to addressing the causes and impacts of climate change through the planning system is set out in the supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1). This states that new development should be planned to limit carbon dioxide emissions and make good use of low carbon and renewable energy sources. Local authorities may develop planning policies which require a percentage of the energy demand of new developments to be provided from decentralised renewable or low carbon sources. This builds upon the Government’s commitment to renewables set out in Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy (PPS22).

2.3 Planning Policy Statement 25: Flooding (PPS25) ensures that the future risk of flooding is taken into account in the planning process. This encourages water conservation measures such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).

2.4 The Code for Sustainable Homes sets out national standards for the design and construction of sustainable homes covering 9 categories including water conservation, energy efficiency and waste management. There are 6 code levels of which level 6 is zero carbon emissions. It is the Government’s intention that all new homes will be zero carbon by 2016 through the progressive tightening of building regulations.

West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (Preferred Option)

(1) 2.5 The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) was adopted in 2004 and forms part of the development plan. A review of the RSS is currently being undertaken and the preferred options were published in December 2007. The preferred options version contains a framework of policies which encourage the construction of sustainable buildings. Policy SR3 requires developments of 10 dwellings or 1000 sq m or over to meet at least 10% of the developments energy requirement through renewable or low energy sources. It also requires new development to meet the Building for Life standard, the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM office scale. Policy EN2 encourages energy conservation in new development through the use of energy efficiency design and layout. It is recognised however, that these policies have not been the subject of a public examination and therefore can only be afforded limited weight.

Warwick District Local Plan (1996 – 2011)

2.6 The Warwick District Local Plan was adopted in September 2007 and forms part of the Development Plan. It includes a suite of policies which provide the framework for this SPD.

2.7 Policy DP13 deals with renewable energy and requires that in appropriate new developments 10% of the energy requirement is met from renewable energy sources. DP11 promotes the use of sustainable urban drainage systems and the reuse and recycling of surface water and domestic waste water. DP12 encourages energy efficient design. The full policy wording is contained in Appendix 1.