Lords Levelling Up victory for local authorities fighting the housing and climate crises

UK100 is claiming a “win” in response to news that Peers in the House of Lords backed Amendment 191 to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Lord Ravensdale’s amendment places a duty on the Secretary of State and relevant planning authorities to have special regard to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change with respect to national policy, local plan-making and planning decisions.

UK100 and The Blueprint Coalition jointly lobbied Peers to support the amendment ahead of the vote on Monday night.

Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive, UK100, said: “It’s common sense that planning decisions are aligned with our national climate goals. But the disconnect between Net Zero, planning guidance and policy at a national level is thwarting ambitious local authorities from tackling the urgent climate and housing crises.

“Lord Ravensdale’s amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which we’re pleased passed in the House of Lords with the support of a majority of Peers, is a necessary step towards Net Zero and planning policy alignment which the Government must not ignore.”

Cllr Martyn Alvey, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Cornwall Council, added: “It’s a victory for communities across Cornwall and beyond fighting for more comfortable, affordable homes while tackling the climate crisis. Cornwall has been a pioneer in Net Zero policy, being one of the first councils to declare a climate emergency and commit to ambitious carbon reduction targets.

“For councils like ours leading the way on climate change, inconsistent planning decisions have been a major roadblock. This amendment should finally ensure climate mitigation is hardwired into the planning system at all levels, preventing obstruction of bold climate plans at the local level.

“Our efforts to tackle the climate crisis in Cornwall will be strengthened if Ministers now sit down with Lord Ravensdale to ensure the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and planning policy, generally, helps rather than hinders climate progress.”