LUC and the National Energy Foundation were commissioned to undertake a study to identify practical and spatially specific measures to enhance sustainable energy and biodiversity opportunities within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
The key aims of the study were to:
- Identify appropriate low carbon/renewable energy technologies for potential development or regeneration sites within the Borough. This includes the opportunities for decentralised energy such as communal/district heating or Combined Cooling Heat and Power.
- Identify the spatial opportunities for biodiversity enhancement within the Borough, as well as protecting areas of existing biodiversity importance.
- Provide a robust evidence base and clear recommendations on the spatial opportunities for the Local Development Framework.
- Identify appropriate funding and delivery mechanisms to secure the implementation of the identified opportunities.
The project translated the theory of spatial planning into a replicable, simple, practical planning process for other practitioners to plan for climate change. This planning process could be applied to any neighbourhood, local authority area or region in the UK. It represents a move away from reliance on generic planning policy guidance towards policies that ‘require’ rather than simply ‘encourage’.
The implementation of the study’s recommendations will deliver significant social, environmental and economic benefits by:
- Reducing fuel bills and hence fuel poverty through greater energy efficiency and the use of low carbon technologies
- Improving economic competitiveness by minimising the wasteful use of energy
- Improving the quality of the built environment and reducing the heat island effect, by incorporating green walls/living roofs, enhanced green spaces and street planting
- Increasing public health and community pride in the local environment as a result of an improved, greener environment
- Increasing access to, and appreciation of, biodiversity and nature
- Creating more fertile ground for the development of green industries.
