Partners Conference 2013

Low Carbon Growth Workshop

Mike Luton

SGC Major Sites Team

GrowthCarbon Consumption in Development

Construction phase – Materials specified etc– Transportation of materials to site– Site preparation – earth moving– Construction process– Management of construction waste

Operational phase

– Heating– Electricity consumption– Transportation – commuting, shopping

trips etc– The life styles of future occupants

Which elements contribute most to carbon consumption?

Where should our focus be?

Need whole life approach to reduce carbon consumption across the board.

Reducing carbon consumption

1. Where are we now?How sustainable is South Gloucestershire at present ?

2. Where do we want to be?How high should we be aiming? (or for carbon consumption “How low can we go?”)

Is a low carbon economy really achievable?

3. How do we get there?Who needs to do what and by when?

1. Where are we now?How sustainable is South Gloucestershire?

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• On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate current carbon consumption in South Gloucestershire?

– Score 10 – Very high carbon consumption

– Score 1 – very low

– Score 0 - zero carbon

How did we get here?

Post war planning and growth 1. Rapid suburban development2. Economic growth and diversity 3. Increasing car ownership

• 1930 - 60 Growth Suburbs – Filton, – Patchway, – Kingswood

• 1960 - 90 – Growth Market towns – Yate– Thornbury

• 1990 - 2010 – Growth Urban extensions– Bradley Stoke– Emersons Green.

• Ongoing growth of villages

Key messages• General economic prosperity

• A property owning and car owning democracy - lots of choice

• Old housing stock

• Car based lifestyles

• High dependency on fossil fuels.

2. Where do we want to be?How low should we be aiming?

• On a scale of 1-10 how low do you think it is realistic to aim for carbon consumption in South Gloucestershire by 2026? – Score 10 – Very high

carbon consumption

– Score 1 – Very low

– Score 0 - Zero carbon consumption

– Is sub-zero possible?

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Future needs/trends

• More Growth

– 28,000+ new homes over 20 years (c30% growth).

– More jobs

– Ageing population

• More efficient cars

• More power generation from gas, nuclear and renewable sources.

• New housing stock will be more energy efficient in materials, thermal efficiency and appliances.

– So is there a need to worry?

Council policy

• South Gloucestershire Community Strategy 2012: – Reducing carbon emissions is a cross cutting aim. – ‘Place’ theme priority to delivering

• integrated low carbon communities, • reducing carbon emissions from all sectors • Improving energy security

• Climate Change – Carbon Reduction Strategy being refreshed.

“Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today and we are committed to playing our part in limiting the dangerous effects of climate change”.

Planning Policy

Core Strategy – CS1 – High Quality Design – seeks layout and design to

achieve energy conservation

– CS3 – Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Generation

– CS4 – Renewable or Low carbon District Heat Networks

– CS7 – Strategic Transport Infrastructure - seek improved public transport

– CS8 – Improving accessibility – Priority to travel options other than the car.

• But also have to deliver 28,355 new homes and commercial and industrial development

North Fringe and the Cribbs/ Patchway New Neighbourhood

AimsMeeting housing and employment needs

5,700 dwellings50 hectares employment land – as part of

wider enterprise area based on aerospace and advanced engineering.

• Sustainable land uses – mixed uses

• Improved public transport– Bus rapid transit– Remodelled Mall Bus Station– Heavy rail stations opened

• Improved green routes

• Sustainable layout and design

• Sustainable and shared utilities

Policies •CS25 - North Fringe•CS26 – C/P New Neighbourhood

Core Strategy Key Diagram

Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood SPD

3. How Do we get there? Who needs to do what and by when?

Government

Local Government

Service providers/Utilities

Residents

Employers

Developers “What can I do?”

Roles

Planners

– Not environmental police force- don’t control things covered by other legislation

– ‘facilitators of development’ – promote more housing and jobs

– Can influence and encourage reduced impacts through development policies, plans and decisions

Environmental Controls through:

– Building regulations – Historically bar not set high.

– Environmental regulations

Opportunities and Threats

Things which may help or hinder delivery of low carbon growth:

• Government commitment – Fiscal incentives – e.g. Low emission engines– Building Regulations (Zero Carbon – 2016)– Support for greener industries (e.g. aerospace)– Support for low carbon power generation

• Economy/Viability– Construction industry confidence.

• Consumer demand

• Uncertainty – Changing technology – what is available – and what to

specify and when– Possible lack of joined up working

Summary1. Where have we come from?

– Rapid suburban development– Car based economy

2. Where are we heading?– More intensive suburban development– Greater mix of land-uses– Better public transport and green routes– Integrated utilities/heat networks etc – Zero carbon Housing – allowable solutions – retrofit existing stock

3. Are we on course? – Must meet future growth needs – but in a more sustainable way.

4. What , if anything, is stopping us?– Historical decisions – inherited development – Viability (in an uncertain economy)– Lack of a shared commitment?– Uncertainty - technological – (which way to turn?)

What is stopping us?

Nothing!!

The Codes

• Environmental Accreditation systems. – Code for Sustainable Homes– BREEAM for commercial

buildings.

• CoSH - looks beyond building regulations to assess all aspects of the development.

• Use of Codes is voluntary.

Hanham Hall - Carbon Challenge• Aim Code 6 – Zero Carbon

– Key messages • Difficult to deliver Code 6

even with subsidies • Provide for allowable

solutions – pragmatic option.