Adaptation in planning policy
The current Climate Change PPS states that ‘mitigation and adaptation should not be considered independently of each other’. The revised PPS is expected to strengthen the focus on adaptation, in recognition of its importance in tackling climate change. This toolkit seeks to ensure an integrated approach to tackling climate change.
Until recently, adaptation has been regarded as the poor relation to mitigation and the emphasis has been on promoting decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy generation. There are several drivers which are helping to raise the profile of adaptation and a vast amount of research is supporting this rapidly evolving policy area. For more information see the drivers for action on adaptation and resources.
When developing planning policy for adaptation it is important to acknowledge the provisions made in the Climate Change PPS and other Planning Policy Statements too. The table below summarises the objective of each PPS and the relevance to climate change adaptation. This toolkit only covers the delivery of adaptation according to the provisions set out in the Climate Change Supplement to PPS1. However, the policy objectives will provide multiple benefits across other PPSs, and you should recognise this by adopting an integrated policy approach.
| Legislation or policy | Objective | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| PPS9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation | Promote biodiversity and geological conservation through planning and development. | Take account of climate change on distribution of habitats and species. |
| PPG17; Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation | Promote open space, sport and recreation through planning and development. | Planning and development should create the local networks of high quality, accessible and well managed and maintained open spaces necessary to improve adaptive capacity. |
| PPS11: Regional Spatial Strategies | Policy and guidance on the format and process of preparing an RSS. |
RSS should consider how the region’s activities contribute to climate change, including vulnerabilities. Strategic targets may be appropriate. |
| PPS12: Local Spatial Planning | Policy and guidance on the format and process of preparing an LDF. | Core Strategies should be supported by evidence of what physical, social, and green infrastructure is needed to enable the amount of development proposed for the area, taking account of its type and distribution |
| PPG20: Managing coastal erosion risk | Planning authorities are provided with advice on the issues that should be considered when making development decision in or near the coast. |
States that a precautionary approach should be taken to land affected, or likely to be affected, by erosion or land instability. Developments should not be allowed to take place in areas where erosion is likely to occur during the lifetime of the building. These areas should be clearly identified, mapped and shown in development plans in order to adapt to future erosion. |
| PPS25: Development and Flood Risk | Introduces a risk-based approach to development and managing flood risk. It aims to include flood risk assessment in the development process to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and to direct development away from areas at highest risk. Where development is necessary in areas at risk the PPS seeks to ensure it is safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere. |
Flood risk assessments must be prepared and the sequential and exceptions tests should be applied. Consideration should be given to the Annex on climate change. |
