Policy CC/SD: Sustainable development and the climate emergency

1. Planning permission will only be granted for proposals that demonstrate and embed the principles of climate change mitigation and adaptation into the development. Major and minor planning applications, with the exception of householder applications, must demonstrate how applicable local and national policy requirements have been achieved through the submission of a Sustainability Statement. 

2. The level of information provided within a Sustainability Statement should be proportionate to the scale and nature of the proposed development and it should outline the approach to a range of issues, including: a) climate change adaptation; b) net zero carbon; c) integrated water management; d) sustainable travel; e) waste management; f) nature-based design solutions; g) the use of materials; h) circular economy; and i) carbon sequestration. 

3. A standalone Sustainability Statement must be submitted as part of planning applications for all types of major development. For minor development applications, the Sustainability Statement may form part of a

A statement that accompanies a planning application to explain the design principles and concepts that have informed the development and how access issues have been dealt with. The access element of the statement should demonstrate how the principles of inclusive design, including the specific needs of disabled people, have been integrated into the proposed development and how inclusion will be maintained and managed.

or Planning Statement for the proposal. 

National planning policy requires local planning authorities to adopt proactive strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Action to reduce the impact of human activity on the climate system, primarily through reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

means taking action to reduce the causes of climate change, which can primarily be achieved through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Adjustments made to natural or human systems in response to the actual or anticipated impacts of climate change, to mitigate harm or make the most of beneficial opportunities.

comprises design and construction methods that allow a development to be resilient to the environmental effects of climate change. 

The principles of climate change adaptation and mitigation are embedded within this

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

; Policy CC/SD provides an important foundation for other policies in the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

and a mechanism through which planning applications can demonstrate compliance with various policies within the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

of relevance to climate mitigation and adaptation. The policy requires applicants to submit a Sustainability Statement to demonstrate how the principles of climate change mitigation and adaptation have been embedded within the development proposal, providing details of sustainable design and construction measures proposed for the development. This will be expanded on in a Sustainability Checklist. Further technical guidance may also be provided in a future update to the

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

Sustainable Design and Construction SPD. 

Where relevant, the Sustainability Statement should outline how the proposed development will: 

• Demonstrate high levels of energy efficiency and low levels of embodied carbon; 
• Integrate the use and generation of renewable and low carbon energy; 
• Promote all forms of sustainable transport, including public transport, electric vehicles, cycling or walking; 
• Demonstrate sustainable waste management and integrate the principles of the circular economy; 
• Support the delivery and maintenance of sites for carbon capture and sequestration. 
• Manage and conserve water resources; 
• Demonstrate that water management has been considered in an integrated way which protects and enhances water quality; 
• Demonstrate that flood risk from all sources has been avoided or managed; 
• Use layout, building orientation, design, and materials to ensure properties are not susceptible to overheating and include open space and vegetation for shading and cooling; and 
• Create a better linked habitat network by conserving, creating or expanding existing habitats.

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

: Climate Change Topic Paper (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.