the impacts of climate change through actions such as increasing renewable energy generation and decreasing energy usage through retrofit, while simultaneously improving public health, housing standards, air quality, local investment, and biodiversity. Climate adaptation measures can in turn support resilience for communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and ensure that all residents benefit from a healthier, more sustainable environment.

  1. The policies in this section of the Local Plan specifically address climate resilience, mitigation, adaptation, sustainable design and construction, together with low and zero carbon approaches to development, renewable and low carbon energy generation, retrofit and the use of resources.
  2. The policies in this section will allow the council to manage development so that it supports or contributes to achieving all objectives, but particularly 1, 2 and 5.

CR 1: Climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation

  1. To support Stockport becoming carbon neutral by 2038 and to ensure the borough is resilient to the impacts of the climate emergency, development must contribute positively to climate resilience and the transition to a low-carbon future. Development must be designed to:
  2. All development must be sustainable in design and construction, incorporating best practice in resource management and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Buildings should be designed and orientated to utilise passive solar design and incorporate green infrastructure to minimise overheating and the urban heat island effect. Development proposals providing at least 1 dwelling or 100 square metres of non-residential floorspace (measured on gross internal area) must respond to the climate emergency and associated risks. Applications must address:
  3. be resilient to climate change impacts for the lifetime of the development;
  4. not adversely impact surrounding areas by making them less resilient to climate change impacts;
  5. not use fossil fuels for operational energy, unless it can be demonstrated that doing so is not technically feasible; and
  6. minimise resource use by promoting circular economy outcomes and aim to be net-zero waste in construction before 2038.
  7. flooding, water management, multi-functional sustainable drainage and blue infrastructure;