Local Plan 2045 Scoping Consultation

6. Climate Change

Where are we now?

6.1The effects of climate change are already being experienced at both the national and local level. The UK’s climate is continuing to become warmer, wetter and sunnier with accelerated sea level rises and fewer frosts. Within the Chichester local plan area, these trends continue to pose challenges. The plan area’s extensive coastline makes it susceptible to coastal flooding, erosion and sea level rise whilst its rural areas which include horticulture and viticulture industries, and designated habitat sites such as Chichester Harbour, are particularly sensitive to the changes in climate.

6.2Carbon dioxide emissions at the local level arise primarily from transport, domestic energy use and commercial activities and although the total emissions have fallen over recent years, the rural nature of the plan area, especially in the north, means there is still a reliance on private car travel. Air quality is also an issue for the plan area with an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) still in place in St Pancras, Chichester city centre (although this is due to be revoked as air quality has improved), and a policy in the current local plan to protect The Mens Special Conservation Area (SAC) from potential atmospheric pollution.

6.3In 2019, the council declared a climate emergency and revised its Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2025. The Action Plan included 11 new projects to work on and the outcomes of these will be benchmarked against the Government’s national target of net zero by 2050. The current local plan climate change policies have begun to address the issue of climate change requiring new development to mitigate climate change by contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the demands of a changing climate through measures such as those aimed at providing solar shading and cooling. The current plan also supports the development of renewable and low carbon energy and requires new development proposals to demonstrate flood risk management and contribute towards sustainable transport measures.

What are the challenges and opportunities?

Challenges

6.4Since the current Chichester local plan was adopted, national policy has evolved further and the new draft NPPF places increasing emphasis on renewable and low carbon energy use, climate resilience and nature-based solutions.

6.5The scale and urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions presents a significant challenge to the plan area. Achieving net zero by 2050 and the targets set through the district’s Climate Emergency Action Plan will need to be reflected in how development is planned, designed and delivered in the new local plan. Existing development patterns and the reliance on the private car for travel will continue to contribute to transport-related emissions and present challenges to achieving modal shift to more sustainable transport choices.

6.6There is a clear need for the new local plan to provide a strong framework to both mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. For the Chichester plan area, this includes embedding higher standards for water efficiency, supporting the transition to low carbon and renewable energy in transport and development, enhancing green infrastructure and ensuring development is located and designed to be resilient to future climate risks.

6.7The plan will need to address the increased risks of tidal, fluvial, groundwater and surface water flooding from rises in sea level and severe rainfall events. Coastal erosion and coastal squeeze, overheating and water stress also pose threats to the plan area. Consideration will need to be paid to the plan area’s water environment which is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change and ongoing development pressures. Balancing the need for growth with the need to avoid areas at highest risk of flooding and avoid placing pressure on our water supplies will become increasingly complex.

6.8The sensitivity of the plan area’s landscape, heritage and environmental designations, including the plan area’s strategic wildlife corridors, may also limit the extent and location of some mitigation measures such as renewable energy infrastructure.

6.9Uncertainty in national policy and viability considerations may further affect the delivery of higher environmental standards. Ensuring that new development in the Chichester plan area is compliant with national policy and legislation on energy and carbon reduction without undermining deliverability will remain an ongoing challenge.

Opportunities

6.10Despite the challenges, the new local plan presents a significant opportunity to provide the framework to embed the necessary climate considerations into decision-making and support the creation of healthy, resilient and sustainable communities.

6.11The new local plan can take a long-term strategic approach to climate resilience by directing development away from areas of highest flood risk and risk of coastal erosion. The local plan may also safeguard land for future adaptation measures including flood management, seek opportunities to re-locate existing unsustainable development and consider if the identification of Coastal Change Management Areas is required.

6.12The plan can support the integration of renewable and low-carbon energy generation and play a key role in reducing transport emissions by promoting sustainable locations for growth and creating opportunities for the enhancement of walking, cycling, electric vehicles and public transport infrastructure. Coordinating development with sustainable transport measures provides a means to reduce the need to travel and encourage modal shift.

6.13Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure will present important opportunities for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Enhancing tree cover, conserving and restoring habitats and incorporating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) will help to manage flood risk, improve resilience to climate change and deliver wider ecological gains.

6.14Addressing climate change in the local plan will also provide opportunities for wider co-benefits including improving health and well-being and generally, enhancing the resilience of communities and infrastructure. Supporting low-carbon technologies and green industries and practices can contribute to sustainable economic growth.

6.15The new local plan can act as a framework for supporting necessary climate change mitigation and adaptation. Climate change considerations will be integrated throughout all policy areas including housing, infrastructure, economy and the natural environment. Ambition will be balanced with deliverability by ensuring that climate policies are viable and supported by appropriate evidence, infrastructure planning and partnership working.

6.16The draft NPPF includes decision-making policies relating to flood risk, the sequential test, development in areas at risk of flooding and ensuring development is safe from flooding. The draft NPPF also covers decision-making policies on sustainable drainage systems and watercourses, and development in Coastal Change Management Areas. It also includes a policy on improving the natural environment which includes the use of green infrastructure for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including a policy on trees in new development. There is also a ‘mitigation of climate change’ decision-making policy and an ‘adaptation to climate change’ policy. Careful consideration will need to be given to how the new local plan can address locally specific issues climate issues and not repeat the national decision-making policies.

What are the key priorities?

6.17To ensure the new local plan effectively supports climate change mitigation and adaptation, the following key priorities have been identified.

Transition to net zero

6.18Ensure that new development supports the transition to net zero by requiring greenhouse gas emissions to be minimised through energy efficiency, sustainable design and construction and the integration of low and zero carbon technologies. As this is an area where there has been a lack of clarity in national policy about whether it is possible to have standards that go beyond Building Regulations, we will need to wait for the final NPPF before considering this further.

6.19New development should reduce the need to travel and support modal shift to more sustainable forms of transport. This includes prioritising development in accessible locations, enhancing walking and cycling and electric vehicle infrastructure and improving public transport connectivity.

Supporting renewable and low carbon energy generation

6.20Explore opportunities and facilitate the appropriate delivery of renewable and low carbon energy generation and infrastructure including decentralised and community-led schemes while ensuring impacts on landscape, heritage and environmental assets are appropriately mitigated.

Enhance climate resilience and adaptation

6.21Ensure that development is located and designed to be resilient to the impacts of climate change including increased flood risk, coastal change, rising temperatures and sea levels as well as water scarcity. Avoid areas at highest risk from the effects of climate change and require the incorporation of adaptation measures in development design. Promote water efficiency, sustainable water management and the efficient use of natural resources.

Manage flood risk and coastal change

6.22Apply a risk-based approach to the location of development supported by sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), natural flood management, long-term strategies to address coastal erosion, coastal squeeze and sea level rise and identifying areas for safeguarding from development as well as potential need for Coastal Change Management Areas (CCMAs).

Maximise green and blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions

6.23Expand and enhance green and blue infrastructure networks to support nature-based solutions such as carbon sequestration; cooling; biodiversity and flood management. Prioritise multifunctional nature-based solutions that can combat climate change and deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.