Residents can now have their say online on proposed new planning rules to help Cornwall tackle climate change.?

The?Climate Change Development Plan Document, or DPD, will outline Cornwall Council’s vision to protect the environment by introducing new planning policies and strengthening existing rules to support?Cornwall Council’s ambitious aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.?

Because of the need to stay at home in response to the Coronavirus, residents and other stakeholders can view the proposals online and give their views and suggestions by email from now until May 26.

This first round of consultation will be held predominately online, and there will be no face-to-face public events or exhibitions during the current health emergency.

If anyone cannot view the document online, paper copies can be provided.

There will also be online events and question and answer sessions on the new DPD via Skype. Further details on the webcasts will follow.

Climate Change DPD policies are being considered to support:? ?

Green energy?— This could mean allocating areas for renewable energy, safeguarding renewable energy sources, and promoting energy storage solutions to ensure renewable power generated in Cornwall can be used here.??

Enhancing the environment?— Using nature to reduce Cornwall’s carbon footprint, protecting and increasing biodiversity and planting more trees and hedges, for example through the 8,000-hectare Forest for Cornwall programme.??

More efficient housing?— Building homes with alternative, renewable energy sources, improving building standards and retrofitting Cornwall Council housing to make homes warmer and greener.?

Greener travel?— Looking at ways to reduce the need to travel by designing places that encourage walking and cycling.?

Community resilience?— Increasing resilience to coastal change and flooding, making sure buildings are in safe locations and creating natural flood management systems.?

Cabinet members approved plans for public consultation to start on the new Climate Change DPD at a meeting at Lys Kernow on March 18.??

Like the Local Plan, this DPD would become a statutory planning document supporting and strengthening the policies that have already been adopted, to protect the environment.?

All suggestions and feedback received during the consultation would be considered but not all ideas can be included in planning policy.??

There will be further chances to comment this year before the final policies are decided and submitted to Government for inspection next year.??

Councillor Bob Egerton, Cornwall’s Cabinet Member for culture, economy and planning, said: “While we are all doing our part during this pandemic we need to keep up the momentum on our plans and action to tackle the climate emergency.

“It is critical that we continue our work on developing the Climate Change Development Plan Document which will be our vision of how we can help lower our carbon footprint through our planning policies.

“We hope that you will find the time to give us your views and suggestions during this consultation. Climate change is important to all of us and we need to press on with this vital work to safeguard the future for everyone.”

Councillor Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall’s cabinet member for climate change and neighbourhoods, said: “We have seen the incredible community action of our residents across Cornwall recently.

“While social distancing has meant we have had to cancel or postpone public meetings and events, you can still contribute ideas and comments on our Climate Change DPD online and through other means.

“If you can’t access the internet get in touch and we will arrange for a paper copy of our plans to be sent out to you.”

Public consultation on the Climate Change Development Plan Document runs from now until 26 May.

To give views on the Climate Change DPD or for further information visit?Cornwall Council’s website?or email?[email protected]?or call 0300 1234 151