Consultation is open from 3 August 2026 9:00am to 25 September 2026 5:00pm
Policy CC/CS: Supporting land-based carbon sequestration and carbon sinks
Protection of Peat Soil
1. Where major development is proposed on land containing peat soils, a proportionate evaluation of the impact of the proposal on the soil’s carbon content and an appropriate soil management plan must be submitted as part of the planning application.
2. There will be a presumption in favour of preservation of peat in situ. Proposals that will result in unavoidable harm to, or loss of, peat soils will only be permitted if it is demonstrated that there is clear evidence of need for the development that outweighs the harm to peat soils, and that an alternative viable option is not available for the proposed development.
3. Any potential harm to peat soils associated with a development proposal must be reduced to the minimum possible level. Appropriate provision, to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, must be made for the evaluation, recording and interpretation of peat soils prior to the commencement of development.
4. Where exceptional circumstances are demonstrated that would justify the removal of peat soil, peat soil removal must only be conducted with the guidance and supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced soil scientist or practitioner, to an approved plan. For other soils, the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites (2009) (or successor documents) should be followed.
5. Peat and other soils must be appropriately stored and eventually used, all in a way that would limit carbon emissions into the atmosphere as far as possible
6. Proposals to enhance peat soils and protect its qualities will be supported, as will proposals to help strengthen existing carbon sinks or create new ones.
Carbon sequestration in new development
7. All major development proposals, including strategic sites, should seek opportunities to enhance the carbon sequestration potential of their proposals through green infrastructure and new habitat creation. The demonstration of meaningful carbon sequestration where there is a significant net gain within a proposal through nature-based solutions will be a material consideration in the decision-making process.
Supporting information
4.67. Land plays a significant role in climate objectives, acting as both a source of greenhouse gas emissions and a carbon sink. A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases – for example plants, the ocean and soils. Peatlands are an important store of carbon, while other habitats such as woodlands and grasslands also have a role to play, as indicated in research by Natural England. There is an area of peatland in the very north of Greater Cambridge, as identified on the England Peat Map (or any successor document). Although it covers a relatively small area of Greater Cambridge, peatland should be protected, preserved and enhanced wherever possible to ensure it continues to store carbon. The protection of soils during construction to preserve their potential as a carbon sink is an important consideration in the policy and developers should refer to the DEFRA Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites (or successor documents).
4.68. Other policies in the development plan protect nature sites and agricultural land, support the protection and enhancement of tree canopy cover, and support the delivery of strategic green infrastructure projects, thereby protecting land that will act as carbon sinks. Promotion of nature-based solutions, where natural systems are protected, restored and managed, can assist with the protection of carbon sinks, whilst providing benefits for biodiversity and health and wellbeing.
4.69. Our evidence, alongside the work of the Committee on Climate Change, shows that, even after all ambitious carbon reduction actions are taken, there will still be a proportion of ‘residual’ or unavoidable carbon emissions from the economy as a whole. As a result, land-based carbon sequestration has a role to play in offsetting these residual carbon emissions. Carbon sequestration is the long-term removal, capture or sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric carbon dioxide and to mitigate or reverse climate change. This policy also seeks to promote the consideration of carbon sequestration potential when designing landscaping and green infrastructure provision as part of new developments.
Tell us what you think
For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.
All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.