Local Plan consultation to respond to the climate emergency and promote a carbon zero Cotswolds
An update to Cotswold District Council’s Local Plan will tackle the climate emergency and help to deliver a carbon zero future for residents. The ‘Your Cotswold, Your Plan’ Regulation 18 ‘issues and options’ consultation will begin on Friday 4th February and will run to Sunday 20th March 2022.
The consultation seeks views from the public to enable the Council to partially update its local plan to make it ‘green to the core’ ensuring that climate change is considered in all aspects of the future development of Cotswold District.
Cllr Rachel Coxcoon, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning said, “Tackling the Climate Emergency is an issue we are deeply committed to addressing. This means we have had to make a partial update to the plan to make sure that we are thinking sustainably for the next, and future, generations. We have to make sure that what we build today doesn’t contribute to the emissions that are driving dangerous climate change, and is also fit for the future; a hotter world with more extreme weather events.
“We know that residents are frustrated that hundreds of new homes were built under the current Local Plan without basic sustainability measures such as solar panels, bike storage, high levels of insulation and excellent biodiversity credentials. The current Local Plan does not allow us to demand these features of developers, and government building regulations are also inadequate. This Local Plan update aims to give us the evidence base we need to demand much higher standards. Part of that evidence will come from the technical studies we have commissioned, but equally important is that we get the views of residents on what sustainability features are most important to them.
“We have made it easier than ever before to take part in this consultation by investing in Commonplace, a citizen engagement platform which we hope will see greater and more inclusive engagement with our residents. Last year we were really pleased to announce our successful bid for £53,193 funding for the new platform from the Government’s PropTech Engagement Fund.
“I would urge all residents in Cotswold District to take part in this consultation and help us to tackle the climate emergency and protect the District for future generations.”
The partial update of the Local Plan will focus on eighteen themes including design, biodiversity and infrastructure development. Each theme will be explored with a topic paper on the Commonplace platform and the views of the public invited.
Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting https://issuesandoptions.commonplace.is. Alternatively, hard copies of the document are available to view at both Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh as well as all District Libraries or by contacting the Council’s customer services team on 01285 623000 or by emailing customer.services@cotswold.gov.uk.
You can also come and talk to us about the proposals:
2nd March, 2 pm - 6.30 pm -Cotswold District Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX
9th March, 2 pm - 6.30 pm - Moreton-in-Marsh Area Centre, GL56 0AZ