Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future

Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future
Draft Local Plan
281. The Council values its existing GI assets and has set out a broad GI vision capturing the
opportunities to address this challenge based on the GI Infrastructure Study (2012) and Subregional
GI Study (2013). This is shown in Appendix E on the GI Opportunities Map.
282. Using natural resources more sustainably will help to protect resources for the future and
contribute towards economic efficiency. This is reflected in a number of the challenges and
objectives in this plan, notably those relating to water resources, waste management and
minerals. More efficient use of water resources in new development will help to reduce the
amount of waste water requiring treatment and discharge to the Borough’s watercourses,
protecting water quality, and minimising the risk of flooding. Treating waste as a resource
that has value and using recycled materials will help businesses to be more efficient as well
as conserving natural resources, such as the mineral resources in the Borough. The plan
addresses the challenges involved in providing for more waste management facilities and to
contribute to local and sub-regional needs for sand and gravel aggregates.
283. The Government recognises the importance of protecting the amenities of existing and
future occupiers of land and buildings (NPPF). This plan recognises that protecting amenity
whilst providing for employment, housing and other growth will be a challenge and has as
an objective the need to avoid, minimise or mitigate adverse impacts.
Policy P9 Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
Proposals for development will be required to demonstrate that, dependent on their scale,
use and location, measures are included that mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate
change. Full details of the proposed measures should be incorporated into the proposal.
At a strategic level, measures to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a low carbon
economy will include:
• Locate development where it minimises the need to travel and encourages
sustainable forms of transport such as cycling, walking, public transport.
• Design development to reduce carbon emissions and make efficient use of
natural resources.
• Promote district, low carbon and renewable energy schemes.
• Expect major developments, particularly in Solihull Town Centre and the
UKC Hub Area, to connect to or contribute towards existing or planned
district energy and/or heat networks.
At a site level, the Council will promote an ‘energy hierarchy’ in seeking to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions as follows:
• Reduce energy demand through energy efficiency measures.
• Supply energy efficiently and give priority to decentralised and/or district
energy supply.
• Provide energy from renewable or low carbon sources.
• Promote connections for electric vehicles.
In order that development proposals are adaptive to climate change, measures will include:
• Flood prevention and mitigation measures, including (SUDS) and water
efficiency measures as set out in Policy P11.
• Layout and design that minimises the need for energy for heating and
cooling.
• Integrated green infrastructure, such as SUDs, green spaces and corridors,
retaining and planting trees, green roofs & walls, landscaping and rain
gardens.
Solihull MBC - 90 - November 2016