1.2 About Warwick District
Object
Net Zero Carbon Development Plan Document - Regulation 19
Representation ID: 72165
Received: 06/05/2022
Respondent: BLAST (Bringing Leamington Allotment Societies Together)
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
There is an unacceptable amount of building on Green Belt when Brownfield land is available.
The council does not seem to be capable or interested in stopping developers from committing Wildlife Crimes in their building projects.
There is no information given about other practical lifestyle and policy measures that could be taken by WDC staff to reduce carbon emissions.
1.2.5 Building on Green Belt exacerbates carbon problems by removing vegetaion which absorbs carbon. Mature trees (and less mature, which will now never reach maturity) are cut down for building developments regulary. In Kenilworth just after the A46 roundabout there is a stretch of about 50 meters of mature trees that have recently been obliterated for a new development on Green fields. This was done in nesting season, which is a Wildlife Crime which has no negative impact on those who commit it. These carbon costs, and removal of the means to decrease carbon (vegetation) are not being reflected in your assessment (1.2.7). Further 1.2.7 does not give any information about the remaining 60% of carbon that is not related to buildings. How are we to address these problems if there is not clarity about what the problems are? 1.3.1 states what this DPD is concerning, which is a very small element of the issue stated in the target of net zero.
Comment
Net Zero Carbon Development Plan Document - Regulation 19
Representation ID: 72178
Received: 08/06/2022
Respondent: Warwick District Labour Party
The role of the District in generating inward and outward flows of commuter traffic (principally to/from Coventry and Birmingham) should be highlighted. To minimise carbon emissions from current and future traffic flows the DPD should explicitly favour new development with minimum dwelling densities (NPPF paras 124/5) especially along public transport routes; and co-located as far as practical with planned employment locations (both within and outside the District), to encourage shorter journeys and greater use of active transport
The role of the District in generating inward and outward flows of commuter traffic (principally to/from Coventry and Birmingham) should be highlighted. To minimise carbon emissions from current and future traffic flows the DPD should explicitly favour new development with minimum dwelling densities (NPPF paras 124/5) especially along public transport routes; and co-located as far as practical with planned employment locations (both within and outside the District), to encourage shorter journeys and greater use of active transport
Comment
Net Zero Carbon Development Plan Document - Regulation 19
Representation ID: 72180
Received: 08/06/2022
Respondent: Warwick District Labour Party
Incorporate references to minimum dwelling densities and co-location.
Risk of being far from net zero objective if most new homes not and retrofitting is limited.
Include retrofitting standards and planned inspections by zero-engineers. Ambition as well as flexibility required here. Discourage demolition to minimise net additions of embedded carbon.
The role of the District in generating inward and outward flows of commuter traffic (principally to/from Coventry and Birmingham) should be highlighted. To minimise carbon emissions from current and future traffic flows the DPD should explicitly favour new development with minimum dwelling densities (NPPF paras 124/5) especially along public transport routes; and co-located as far as practical with planned employment locations (both within and outside the District), to encourage shorter journeys and greater use of active transport
How can this DPD ensure that new development does not add to the District's deficit if the many thousands of new homes envisaged will NOT be net zero and there will be significant retrofitting?
1.3.1 The objective should also cover standards not just for new buildings but for all retrofitting, refurbishment, conversion and extension projects on existing buildings; and planned sample inspections by trained zero-engineers to ensure objective emissions are being sustained.
It is recognised that these standards may need to be more practical and flexible for existing buildings but should be as explicit and ambitious as possible. They also need to reflect an associated objective to encourage refurbishment of old stock rather than demolition/newbuild in order to minimise net additions to embedded carbon. See comments under section 9 & 10 below