We have put together a checklist of things to consider for councils and communities involved in developing local plans. The checklist reflects the actions in the Devon Carbon Plan, rephrased as questions. 

When developing a local plan, please consider the following:

• Does the Local Plan demonstrate how it will shape places in ways that contribute to radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as a primary planning objective?

• Does the Local Plan allocate locations for renewable and low-carbon energy initiatives?

• Do the policies give positive weight to renewable and low-carbon energy initiatives which have clear evidence of local community involvement and leadership?

• Does the Local Plan expect heat networks in new development to make best use of existing heat producers?

• Does the Local Plan require vegetation, and the necessary arrangements for maintenance, to be included within new development to aid building energy efficiency?

• Does the Local Plan ensure new developments are designed with filtered permeability to promote sustainable travel?

• Does the Local Plan require mobility hubs for new developments of appropriate size?

• Does the Local Plan safeguard existing rail freight infrastructure?

• Does the Local Plan allow for greater scope in the provision of rural land workers’ accommodation? E.g. Non-permanent accommodation provided by caravans or cabins etc. that are sited year-round but removed once they are no longer needed.

• Does the Local Plan allocate land for horticulture near to settlements?

• Does the Local Plan expect zero-carbon buildings in operation and set embodied carbon targets?

• A concluding question – Is the Local Plan urgent enough to contribute to the interim target of a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 from 2010 levels?