Green LibDems call for a Local Plan with a sustainability backbone

At Full Council 28th November, Dacorum Borough Council unanimously backed an amended LibDem Motion and agreed a significant proposal to combat the effects of climate change. This Motion referenced the recent IPCC report urging action on climate change and required that the new local plan currently under consideration should have within it environmental protection and sustainability considerations.

In proposing the Motion Liberal Democrat Cllr. Ron Tindall also welcomed the Conservative amendment on the proposal as this brought all parties together to face the threats to the planet:

"My 10 year old grandaughter Nancy Rae is likely to be around as we approach the 22nd century, and I want her to have a planet she can still live on."

The motion reads -

This Council notes the recent IPCC report urging action on climate change and requires that the new local plan currently under consideration should have within it environmental protections and sustainability considerations which should where possible aim to exceed national policy requirements.

Therefore, council requests that the local plan task and finish group give full consideration to these matters when considering the new local plan which should include sections on-

1.Modern construction methods and technologies and that all developments should
provide where practical the following -

* Energy conservation specification in insulation, smart controls and lighting

* Energy generation including solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other
renewable energy systems to reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions

* Other considerations including plug-in vehicle-charging, rain water harvesting and waste
minimisation

2 High speed fibre should be provided for all new developments to enable connection to
the network where and when available.

The Motion was carried unanimously.