Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth which sought approval to commence consultation on four Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). It was the second draft of the Shopfront Design Guide SPD and Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and the Historic Environment SPD, and the first draft of the Biodiversity SPD and Non-designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) SPD. All four documents would support the County Durham Plan (CDP) adopted in October 2020 (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Councillor E Scott, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economy and Partnerships thanked the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth for the huge amount of work in the development of the themes and documents, which would supplement the County Durham Plan adopted in October 2020. Shopfronts were the first point of contact between the businesses and the public. The SPD would help improve the general standard of design and help improve town centres and local business. The Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and the Historic Environment SPD would help property owners improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings and recognise that the historic environment should play its part in local and national net zero goals. The Biodiversity SPD was a key component of the Council’s Ecological Emergency Action Plan and would help ensure that new developments delivered the best outcomes for biodiversity. The NDHA would provide clarity to developers and the community on how NDHAs were assessed. Consultation was key and the Council were now seeking views on all SPDs.

Councillor M Wilkes, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change explained the relevance and need for the supplementary planning documents which provided additional detail and clarity and expanded on the priorities of the County Durham Plan. For example, they would help residents to install solar panel and make improvements to their homes, whilst protecting the historic environment.

Biodiversity was critical to ensure that developments had the least impact on the environment. The protection of riverbanks and streams and the need to ensure a wild habitat for species was hugely important. The loss of biodiversity over the years had been breathtaking, and the work being done within the County in these areas showed leadership, contributed to the physical and mental health of residents whilst protecting, improving and bringing back biodiversity for future generations. There was also a call for developers to go beyond the minimum national standards wherever they could. Cllr Wilkes urged as many people to respond to the consultation.

Councillor R Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance noted that the Government had recently set out the mandatory requirements for the majority of developments to achieve a 10% net gain in biodiversity. The biodiversity supplementary planning document was important in this respect and demonstrated how gains could be achieved and supported.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.