A new campaign is being launched in Parliament to persuade the Government to put climate change at the heart of the English planning system.

A cross-sector coalition of organisations – including leading planners and countryside and environmental organisations - has drawn up draft planning guidance which would transform the system's ability to meet the challenge of tackling climate change.

The coalition, which has been brought together by Friends of the Earth and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), has made detailed suggestions for improving the planning process by making it fairer and ensuring that it plays its part in slashing carbon emissions and meeting the targets set out in the Climate Change Act.

Proposals include:

• Setting renewable energy targets for local councils
• A duty on local authorities to map out green energy opportunities in their area that would enable them to meet their targets - especially potential community-based schemes
• The establishment of a technical body to monitor progress
• Setting up an education programme on climate change for councillors and planners

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"Justice and sustainable development have to be at the heart of the system. It's not about mindless deregulation, it’s about putting the planning system to work to save our communities."

TCPA Energy Policy Manager Kate Henderson said: "The planning system can play a key part in tackling climate change by ensuring we get the right amount of renewable energy, by encouraging carbon zero development and by shaping development which reduces the need to travel by car.

"But despite some excellent rhetoric, much of the planning system is still locked in the age of stupid. It allows carbon intensive development and often refuses real solutions to climate change such as renewable energy projects."

The Government has already accepted that the system needs to be improved to enable UK climate targets to be met.

(CD/BMcc)