Climate change represents one of the biggest challenges we will face locally, nationally and internationally.

It is a significant task to meet the challenge and it will require a sustained effort from us all.

Chesterfield Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, with the intention of Chesterfield Council becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and supporting the transition of the borough to carbon neutrality by 2050.

This page provides some guidance for developers on how to consider climate change within their proposal, and the information that they can submit with their planning application to show that they have taken it into account.

Climate Change is an important consideration and we will take into account the following when looking at planning applications:

• the Climate Change Act 2008 carbon budget - the Sixth Carbon Budget makes a clear recommendation that all new homes need to be net zero from 2025 onwards for the nation to be on track for net zero in 2050 
• the National Planning Policy Framework 2023 requires new development to be planned for in a way that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including by providing decentralised energy, and through developments location, orientation and design, whilst taking account of landform, layout, building 
• the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan Policy CLP20 expects development to be able to withstand any long-term impacts of climate change, and requires major new developments to as far as is feasible and financially viable minimise CO2 emissions during construction and occupation and to maximise both the use of and the generation of renewable energy

Minor and householder development

To demonstrate that climate change has been properly considered, applicants for minor and householder development are strongly encouraged to read the Derbyshire Planning and Climate Change guidance when designing their proposal and use the checklist provided. The completed checklist can be submitted with the planning application. 

Major development

Local Plan Policy CLP20 requires proposals for major development to be accompanied by a statement (as part of or in addition to a design and access statement) which sets out how the development minimises CO2 emissions during construction and occupation, and maximises both the use of and the generation of renewable energy.

Applicants for major development are strongly encouraged to read the Derbyshire Planning and Climate Change guidance when designing their proposal and use the planning assessment tool provided, which can be submitted as part of the Energy Statement required by CLP20.