Yes

ID sylw: 93824

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

-We are pleased to see reference to LETI and Passivhaus, but this policy direction needs to set out clearly when each standard should be required.
-The AECB CarbonLite Retrofit Standard is better for traditional buildings and also considers many more retrofit risks.
-Alternatively, PAS 2035 (for domestic buildings) & Trustmark could be required as it has consumer protection and QA embedded in it. For non domestic buildings, PAS 2038 should be used.
-The policy relies heavily on EPCs for domestic buildings, although this system is due to be replaced.

Other

ID sylw: 93825

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Building 54,700 new homes will have massive implications in terms of embodied carbon. Building regulations say almost nothing about embodied carbon, so it is good to see that the intention is to go beyond building regulations for this. RIBA 2030 targets rather than 2025 must be used, and there need to be actual requirements in this local plan to reduce embodied carbon in construction.

Other

ID sylw: 93826

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Most of this is suitable. However, new buildings should have air tightness of <0.6 air changes per hour (see Draft Policy Direction-22) which necessitates mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

Yes

ID sylw: 93828

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

We support the direction of travel implied in all the draft policy directions in this chapter. However, effective implementation will be challenging.

Yes

ID sylw: 93830

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Yes. The mandate to protect, conserve and enhance must be non-negotiable and in no circumstances should offsetting be allowed. The importance of protected sites for natural flood management where appropriate should be highlighted, cross-referenced to draft Policy J in chapter 7 on flood risks. A green / blue map identifying all existing sites, options for new sites and connectivity should form part of the plan. For example, Finham Brook in Kenilworth from upstream of the castle across Kenilworth down to the wetland area to be created under the HS2 bridge over the Brook.

Yes

ID sylw: 93831

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Yes. As the LNRS is a statutory requirement this is non-negotiable. However, LNRS for the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull is still in preparation. The next iteration of the draft of the plan should take account of the emerging strategy and ensure that its provisions are hard-wired into the plan. This draft policy direction should also build on the WDC Biodiversity Action Programme and the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Strategy
(https://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-08/WWT%20Strategy%202030_final.pdf )

Yes

ID sylw: 93834

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Yes. In looking at whether BNG in excess of 10% is desirable the plan should draw on the experience of other local authorities where a higher rate has been approved. Measuring BNG is a process involving both evidence and judgement, and the authorities need to be confident that they have the resources and expertise to review and interrogate BNG plans put forward by developers. There is otherwise a danger that this becomes another box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine commitment to enhance biodiversity. SDC and WDC should start now to develop a scheme of offsite biodiversity units within their areas.

Yes

ID sylw: 93835

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Yes. This emerging policy feels like work in early progress. Research needs to be done on other authorities that have introduced similar policies. It will be important to avoid overlap with DPD 38 (BNG) so as not to increase the burden on developers through duplication. A clear definition of how ENG goes above and beyond BNG is important as is how ENG will be measured.

Yes

ID sylw: 93836

Derbyniwyd: 02/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Warwick District Green Party

Yes. Following recent controversies over planning for solar farms this direction is to be welcomed. Combined with a strong mandate elsewhere in the plan to support rooftop solar PV on all new residential and other buildings this should provide a strong framework to drive forward local renewable energy generation in the most appropriate places.