population growth, climate change, and the need to protect ecosystems are placing increasing pressure on our water resources. These challenges contribute to water stress across our region, making it more important than ever to adopt a sustainable approach. To address this, we have set progressive water consumption targets that support the long-term resilience of our water supplies and safeguard the health of our rivers and wildlife. These ambitions align closely with our declarations of a climate emergency and a biodiversity emergency, reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable and ecologically responsible future. Building Regulations currently include a requirement for all new dwellings to achieve a water efficiency standard of 125 litres per person per day, in 2015 the ‘optional’ requirement of 110 litres per person per day was introduced and this is the standard being sought locally. This approach is supported by United Utilities.
CR 3: Renewable energy development
- To ensure that Stockport achieves carbon neutrality by 2038, the provision of standalone or on-site low and zero carbon energy generation and energy infrastructure must be substantially increased across Stockport. The council will work proactively with partners to identify potential locations for renewable and low carbon energy development, and community-scale schemes. Proposals for renewable and low carbon energy schemes will be supported, subject to meeting the requirements of this and other policies in this plan, providing there are no adverse effects on designated sites, avoiding impacts on designated landscapes.
- Planning applications for standalone solar photo-voltaic (PV) installations must have regard to glint and glare from the panels, and provide 20% BNG or other qualitative ecological enhancements through the provision of additional native plant species, and wildlife gaps in fences.
- Wind energy development involving one or more turbines is potentially suitable across much of the Stockport. Proposals will be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that:
- a.there would be no unacceptable impact on amenity or safety in terms of noise, shadow flicker, vibration, topple distance, air traffic safety, radar and telecommunications, or trees; and
- b.the proposal would not cause significant harm, either individually or cumulatively, to the quality and enjoyment of the landscape and related views.
- c.the proposal would not cause harm, either individually or cumulatively, to the setting of heritage assets, or the special qualities of the National Park.