Planning for climate and nature

Planning is crucial in addressing the climate and nature crisis as it provides a strategic framework to mitigate environmental impacts, promote sustainable development, and proactively prepare for future climate events. By considering land use, infrastructure development, and conservation efforts in a holistic manner, we can seek to minimise harm to ecosystems while maximising resilience to climate change.

Currently, planning is a tricky policy landscape to navigate, with the government introducing a huge chunk of uncertainty into decision making processes following the adoption of the new National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024.

On 24th April, we held a very well attended changemakers meeting at Follaton House to address the current planning landscape. We heard from Strategic Planning Specialist Phil Baker on what the national picture looks like now, what it means for the application of our local policies, and what we may be able to do in the future.

Peter Sandover, Chair of South Devon National Landscapes talked about the importance of Neighbourhood Plans, particularly as we move into a devolution of the local councils, and the enhanced duties of South Devon National Landscape as well as their Management Plan Review. The Neighbourhood Plan was of particular interest to the attendees who were keen to find out more about this through a further session (to be arranged).

We were also joined by Thelma Rumsey and Councillor Mark Long from the Tree Warden Network who discussed the important points to consider when it comes to trees and planning, and Dr Ken Neal who covered ecological considerations.

Planning is a hot topic at the moment as Part 3 of the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill may have huge impacts on ecosystems and habitats. According to legal analysis of the legislation, more than 5,000 of England’s most sensitive, rare and protected natural habitats are at high risk of being destroyed by development under Labour’s new planning bill. The Wildlife Trusts are calling for people to write to their MPs to demand better protection for nature.