CR2Update the Local Plan to incorporate new climate policies

There are many opportunities to integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives into the Local Plan. Since climate change is a broad area, policies relating to climate change may span across various areas, whether this be the natural environment, health and wellbeing, the local economy, or housing, for example.

This action ensures that Stevenage's planning framework proactively addresses the climate emergency by embedding strict, measurable standards across future developments. Key areas addressed include:

• Energy & Emissions: Targeting emissions for major developments while promoting clean, decentralised renewable energy alongside climate-resilient design.
• Water Management & Flooding: Enforcing water efficiency and mandating surface water Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
• Green Infrastructure & Sinks: Safeguarding natural carbon sinks, expanding urban greening, and protecting ecological networks and biodiversity net gains.
• Green Economy: Fostering circular economy practices, minimising construction waste, and supporting local green jobs and sustainable food growing spaces alongside low-carbon active travel networks.

Appropriate policies will be in line with the statutory duty on climate change and ambition in the  Climate Change Act 2008. In doing so, local planning authorities should ensure that protecting the local environment is properly considered alongside the broader issues of protecting the global environment.

The Council set to work on new policies in the Local Plan for Stevenage relating to climate change in 2024. The Local Plan underwent a Partial Update and after examination by an independent Inspector in December 2025, it was adopted on 22 July 2026. The Local Plan Partial Update has been updated to include a new chapter on climate change policies.