Members’ Library Service Request Form Date of Document 10/06/15 Originator Iain Mcfarlane Originator’s Ref (if any) SESplan MIR Document Title Background documents Please indicate if access to the document is to be “unrestricted” or “restricted”, with regard to the terms of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. Unrestricted Restricted If the document is “restricted”, please state on what grounds (click on grey area for drop- down menu): For Publication Please indicate which committee this document should be recorded into (click on grey area for drop-down menu): East Lothian Council Additional information: Background documents for SESplan MIR ratification for consultation report to Council on 23 June 2015 - part 1 Authorised By Iain Mcfarlane Designation Service Manager, Plannng Date 10/06/15 For Office Use Only: Library Reference 105/15 Date Received 10/06/15 Bulletin June 15 SESplan Spatial Strategy - Technical Note SESplan Spatial Strategy - Technical Note Contents 1 Background and Context 3 2 The SDP and Climate Change 4 3 The SDP and Placemaking 7 4 The Green Belt 10 5 The SESplan Audit 13 6 Considerations for MIR2 74 Appendices 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 85 2 Accessibility Analysis 116 Spatial Strategy - Technical Note SESplan 3 Background and Context 1 1 Background and Context 1.1 This is one of a series of Technical Notes, prepared to provide background evidence in support of the second SESplan Main Issues Report (MIR2). This Technical Note sets out the methodology for identifying the options for the spatial strategy across Edinburgh and South East Scotland over the period to 2037. It is closely linked to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and contains the following: The SDP and Climate Change - Consideration of how climate change adaptation and mitigation can be implemented at the strategic planning level; The SDP and Placemaking - Consideration of how principles for placemaking can be implemented at the strategic planning level; The Green Belt - Consideration of Green Belt designations across Edinburgh and South East Scotland. The SESplan Audit - An Audit of Edinburgh and South East Scotland and its key characteristics, opportunities and constraints; and Considerations for MIR2 - The considerations for MIR2. 4 SESplan Spatial Strategy - Technical Note 2 The SDP and Climate Change 2 The SDP and Climate Change Legislative Context 2.1 The European Union (EU) has committed to “transforming Europe into a highly energy-efficient, low carbon economy” endorsing the targets of reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80 - 95% compared to 1990 levels by 2050. The EU has committed to cutting its emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) has developed a package of policy measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Further to this, each of the EU Member States has put in place their own actions which build on ECCP measures to help tackle climate change. However, the EU Council of Environment Ministers agrees more steps need to be taken at community level to develop appropriate actions and policies. 2.2 The aim of the Scottish Government is to achieve at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) states that the challenge of climate change means the action on the environment must “evolve and strengthen our long term resilience”. It requires that Scotland’s resources are sustainably managed to deliver the climate change commitments which are set out in the Climate Change Scotland Act (2009). This requires a minimum 42% cut in emissions by 2020. Section 44 requires all public bodies to act: in the way best calculated to contribute to the delivery of the emissions targets in the Act; in the way best calculated to help deliver the Government’s climate change adaptation programme; and in a way that it considers is most sustainable. 2.3 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out that there is a need to help mitigate the causes of climate change and the need to adapt to its short and long term impacts should be taken into account in all decisions throughout the planning system. Development plans should promote a pattern of development which reduces the need to travel and encourages active travel and travel by public transport, taking into account the likely availability of public transport in rural areas. SPP’s low carbon economy targets are: 30% of overall energy demand from renewable sources by 2020; 11% of heat demand from renewable sources by 2020; and the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020; Spatial Strategy - Technical Note SESplan 5 The SDP and Climate Change 2 2.4 The Regional Transport Strategy has four strategic outcomes, one of which is to reduce emissions, to tackle the issue of climate change, air quality and health improvement while protecting the environment. One of its focuses is on improving sustainable connectivity for business and freight; encouraging the transfer of goods from roads to more sustainable modes. Key priorities are to create sustainable connections to strategic business locations. 2.5 The other Key Agencies also have strategies or action plans aligned with the Scottish Government's objectives. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), for example, have a climate change vision “SEPA will do everything in its power to help Scotland address climate change to ensure Scotland's environment, economy and communities flourish”. SEPA have four strategic themes to help tackle climate change: Acting as a key climate change leader and adviser; Helping Scotland to adapt; Working with Scottish business; and Being an exemplar and educator. 2.6 SEPA plan to use these themes to build action on climate change into annual business plans and provide resources to match needs. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has an Action Plan which suggests the role that nature could play in tackling climate change and how the environment can cope with that change. Transport Scotland have aims set by Scottish Government which require “almost complete decarbonisation of road transport by 2050 with significant progress by 2030 through wholesale adoption of electric cars and vans, and significant decarbonisation of rail by 2050”. The Transport Scotland strategy is to focus on increasing carbon-friendly travel options, specifically cycling and walking. Strategic Development Plan 1 2.7 The aims of Strategic Development Plan 1 (SDP1) include: to integrate land use and sustainable modes of transport, reduce the need to travel and cut carbon emissions by steering new development to the most sustainable locations; and to contribute to the response to climate change through mitigation and adaptation and promote high quality design / development. 2.8 Policy 10 (Sustainable Energy Technologies) seeks to promote sustainable energy sources by supporting future development and infrastructure and directing Local Development Plans (LDPs) to set a framework that will contribute towards achieving national targets for electricity and heat by encouraging renewable energy proposals. Economic, social, environmental and transport considerations must be taken into account when developing heat networks. 6 SESplan Spatial Strategy - Technical Note 2 The SDP and Climate Change Single Outcome Agreements and Other Strategies 2.9 The Single Outcomes Agreements (SOAs) for the City of Edinburgh, Fife, Midlothian, West Lothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders are based on National Outcomes. East Lothian's SOAs state that they aim to be less dependent on finite resources by moving to a more localised, low carbon economy and reducing its ecological and carbon footprints by 80% by 2050. East Lothian has a high quality natural environment that enhances the wellbeing of the local community. Fife’s SOA aims to lower CO2 emissions from energy use, better water, air and land quality, more sustainable transport and less waste. One of Midlothian’s aims is to improve and conserve it’s natural environment. Scottish Borders aim to improve protection, enhancement and access to the natural and built environment to encourage the reduction of waste from households, communities and employers and the increase in the use of renewable energy. 2.10 Edinburgh City Council’s 2020 Vision for a sustainable Scotland is that Edinburgh “will be a low carbon, resource efficient city, delivering a resilient local economy and vibrant flourishing communities in a rich natural setting." The 2020 Vision states that climate change needs to be addressed in two key areas, reducing carbon emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The City of Edinburgh's target is to reduce carbon emissions by 40% across the city and improve energy consumption across all sectors by at least 12%. Other aims include prioritising low carbon transport and partnership working. Considerations for MIR2 2.11 Addressing climate change is challenging given the strategic nature of SESplan, however MIR2 should look to provide a policy framework which, based on the principles set out by Scottish Government provides an ambitious yet achievable target for the SESplan area. The spatial strategy for SDP2 should look to promote a pattern of development that encourages active travel and travel by public transport and other sustainable modes. This will help to reduce additional emissions, to tackle the issue of climate change, air quality and health improvement while protecting the environment. Spatial Strategy - Technical Note SESplan 7 The SDP and Placemaking 3 3 The SDP and Placemaking What is Placemaking? 3.1 Placemaking refers to the creation of places. This can be through the making of new places through development or through the reshaping of an existing area. Good placemaking is about identity, functionality and sustainability which is either brought about through well-designed built and natural environments or enhanced through the preservation or improvement of the existing. 3.2 Placemaking is not something which can be considered in isolation and is made up of many contributing factors including accessibility, services and community.