Winner in Category and Best in Region
Climate Emergency DPD entered by Cornwall Council
Cornwall Council's Climate Emergency DPD pushes at the boundaries of how planning can deliver for a sustainable future. It recognises and enables the multiplicity of actions required to create sustainable places. The DPD comprehensively drives a sustainable future for our towns, villages and other rural areas, reduces the need to travel, promotes renewable energy infrastructure, boosts active and low carbon travel, addresses coastal change and provides a framework for communities to create strategies that make their localities resilient to climate change. The energy standards for new homes are at the vanguard of net zero progress, whilst also tackling fuel poverty.
In selecting this entry as category winner the judges considered the submission as setting exemplary standards for energy performance and construction, to deliver significant positive impacts by guiding and delivering sustainable development.
The submission was clearly presented, evidence-based, linked policy to evaluation criteria, demonstrated partnership working, used free-to-all source data and evaluation tools, with an excellent engagement approach. Closely focused on the specific characteristics and needs of Cornwall, the approach is also highly transferable, with an effective, combined focus on environmental and climate objectives and both affordability and deliverability. Consequently, the DPD was considered to assist in the delivery of a full range of social, environmental and economic benefits.
The Judging Panel concluded that the DPD comprises outstanding, exemplary work and were delighted to confirm that the entry should also be awarded best in region for 2024.
"Cornwall Council's Planning Policy Team are honoured that the Climate Emergency DPD won both Best Plan and Best in Region. Produced collaboratively during the challenges of the Covid 19 Pandemic and a less than certain national policy context, this document squarely targets carbon emissions, the effects of global warming as well as fuel poverty whilst ensuring that much needed homes can continue to be delivered.
The team is dedicated to helping to standardise best practice in policy making, in a pragmatic way that recognises the social benefits for Cornwall’s residents. Winning these awards is a real boost to our ongoing work of implementing our policies and supporting our customers as well as our efforts to share experience with other authorities and help standardise best practice, including on net zero homes. Being recognised by the RTPI in this way helps to highlight the importance of plan-making continuing to push boundaries, embrace new learning curves and keep tackling challenging issues on behalf of our communities, wildlife and landscapes." Robert Lacey and Emily Rubin, Cornwall Council
Update: Cornwall Council CPD went on to win in the Excellence in Plan Making Practice category at the National RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2024
Commended
Local Plan Partial Update entered by Bath and North East Somerset Council
The Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU) updated the Council’s Development Plan. Preparation of the LPPU was undertaken swiftly and smoothly, whilst also involving communities/other stakeholders in the unusual times of the pandemic, and ensuring cross-party political support throughout the process.
New sites were allocated for housing through the plan to address the expected shortfall at the end of the plan period. Employment land allocations were reviewed.
The LPPU enabled the introduction of ground-breaking policies on climate change to address the Council’s climate emergency and an early introduction of the Biodiversity Net Gain requirement.