Bioregional

🌇 NPPF December 2024 update: summarised 🌱  Last week's update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) marks a step in the right direction – but there are important caveats.   Here are the key points: 🌍 For the first time, it explicitly references the UK’s 2050 net-zero target, signalling the planning system’s critical role in tackling the climate crisis. 🏠 More comprehensive climate considerations: it should now require developers to explore and address whole-life carbon, energy efficiency, and resilience to risks like flooding and overheating in planning applications. ⚡ Renewable energy prioritised: it now gives “significant weight” to renewable energy projects, even small-scale or community-led ones, and removes barriers to onshore wind development. 🌳 Nature-based solutions: expanded requirements for sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and support for tree-lined streets and green infrastructure reflect the importance of climate resilience and urban wellbeing. ❤️ Health: new links between planning policies and public health aim to foster equitable, sustainable communities. While these updates are positive, there are missed opportunities: ❌ No explicit references to embodied carbon   ❌ References to retrofitting policies could have been stronger  ❌ No restrictions on fossil fuel development  ❌ Nature and biodiversity protections are weak – particularly in brownfield contexts  ❌ Still no direct link between the planning system and Climate Change Act, but the transition to net zero is included. Despite these significant gaps, the December 2024 updates should mark an important milestone in the UK’s journey toward net zero. While there is still much to do, the strengthened emphasis on climate adaptation, renewable energy, and resilience creates the foundations for meaningful action. If you want all the detail, read Lewis Knight's full blog here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gyCvu6RC And if you’re a local authority grappling with spatial carbon planning, our February 2025 webinar is for you. Discover how to accurately model the carbon impact of local growth scenarios and make smarter, more sustainable development decisions with our new Net-Zero Spatial Planning Tool 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyUSxzjY #NetZero #ClimateCrisis #PlanningPolicy #LocalPlanning #NPPF

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our Net-zero Spatial Planning Tool for local authorities. It's your powerful new ally in making smart, informed decisions about sustainable growth and reducing carbon emissions generated by the future population of your plan area. 🌇🌱🌍 The challenge for local authorities is tough: they're expected to identify the most effective low-carbon growth options, all while balancing location, housing density, environmental planning policies, and ensuring there are local services to meet the new demands from growth. On a day when the news is full of stories about the UK's housebuilding targets, but there's no mention of carbon budgets, this tool is needed more than ever. 💻 Join our launch webinar to discover: 💡 Insights into low-carbon growth strategies for local planning authorities 🏘️ Explore how our Net-zero Spatial Planning Tool calculates the carbon impacts for new developments, including housing, transportation, and social infrastructure 🏛️ Learn from real-world applications in the Forest of Dean District Council, Cotswold District Council, and West Oxfordshire District Council. Register here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyUSxzjY Got any questions? Drop Lewis Knight or Jo Mortensen a message. Our Net-zero Spatial Planning Tool was developed with our friends at Space Syntax. Learn more about it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehmkKDKW

Excited to announce that Stewart Muir is officially a SKArating-accredited assessor for Retail fit-outs ✔️🎉 Our track record includes delivering a prestigious SKA 'Gold' rating for Nando's UK & IRE's iconic Cambridge restaurant - learn how we did it here 🍽️👉 https://lnkd.in/eZXruCH7 💼🛍️ Learn more about our sustainable fit-out services for retail, offices and commercial spaces 👉 https://lnkd.in/eU2qa_qc

We're delighted to announce Parkway House as our newest #OnePlanetLiving🌍 Global Leader! 🎉 One Planet Living Global Leaders represent the very best use of our One Planet Living framework and showcase a gold standard in sustainable placemaking. There are hundreds of One Planet Living projects around the world, but only the very best achieve leadership recognition. Parkway House is a collaboration between Windmill Development Group and Urban Equation. 🤝 The development provides high-quality, low-carbon urban densification in the right place, with excellent transit links and superb outdoor natural amenities. The ambitions in its action plan are comprehensive, with robust KPIs across all 10 One Planet Living principles. 🌇🌱🌍 Windmill Development Group will redevelop and densify the site, providing 3 new residential towers, 7, 16 and 28 storeys, one of which will include a new home for Parkway House care facility. The project will deliver 555 homes, a mixture of studios, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Urban Equation, sustainability advisors on the project, will turn its focus from strategy to implementation, helping Windmill meet the commitments made in its One Planet Living action plan. "Sustainability is a journey that doesn’t end when the doors to a new building open. As we get deeper into the decade that will define the legacy we leave future generations, it’s now more important than ever that we find ways to collaborate and walk this journey together." - Urban Equation 🍁 Discover more about one of the most sustainable new developments in Canada 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekTTJTG6

We're excited to announce that Stephanie Schlipper will lead this upcoming webinar with Business West 💻🌱🌍 Join us for: 💡 expert insights 💼 the business case for sustainability 📉 pathways businesses follow on their sustainability journeys 🎯 key strategies to reduce impact Book your spot here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ewM9ctx2 (Tickets free - open to businesses in Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire, and the West of England & North Somerset.)

Join our CEO Sue Riddlestone OBE at #AnticipateLDN 2024 tomorrow. She'll be talking at the 'Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability' panel, alongside Dr. Steven Fawkes, Charlotte Harrington, David McClelland, and Raquel Queral, covering: 🏡 Innovative Strategies for Retrofitting Existing Buildings ⚡ Maximising Energy Efficiency Through Renewable Energy Integration 🌍 Cutting-Edge Practices for Achieving Superior Energy Efficiency Learn more and register 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8-SBP-C

How do you achieve a net-zero supply chain in 4 steps? By reading our guide, that's how. We tackle: ✔️ What a net-zero carbon supply chain is 🤝 Why engaging with your suppliers is so important 🌍 The 4 big steps you need to take to shift your supply chain towards net zero 💡 How we can help Interested in finding out more? Drop Katie Moen a message or click on the link in the comments 🔗👇 --- If you haven’t met us before – hi, hello! 👋 We're Bioregional - a purpose-led sustainability consultancy. We have been delivering award-winning sustainability services for 30 years. From multinationals to SMEs, our team covers the breadth and depth of cutting-edge corporate sustainability. ✍️ Original blog by the excellent Tegan Tallullah

Big shout-out to our partner Central Lincolnshire - shortlisted for its fantastic Local Plan at last night's Royal Town Planning Institute awards! 🎉🌇 And huge congrats to the winner - Cornwall Council - for its excellent Climate Emergency DPD 👏🌱🌍 We were delighted to support Central Lincolnshire in creating its crucial plan, with the help of our friends Etude and Currie & Brown, and you can view it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXPUHpiP Learn more about our support for local authorities here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_JZ7rhH and our Spatial Planning work with Central Lincolnshire and Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eDjq_xPh Thanks to Marina Goodyear, Ronan Leyden and Lewis Knight from our Sustainable Places team for their incredible work! 💚

We've got until 18 December to raise £20,000 to support Rights: Community: Action & Naomi Luhde-Thompson's legal fundraiser, which aims to overturn the Government's policy on local planning. The policy goes against the UK's legally binding climate targets, and it impacts all of us. We need your support - if you can, please contribute and share 👉 https://lnkd.in/edBzF6ue (If you missed our recent post, here's a recap of why this is so important 👉 https://lnkd.in/eftpDzWu)

We've got until 18 December to raise £20,000 to support Rights: Community: Action & Naomi Luhde-Thompson's legal fundraiser, which aims to overturn the Government's policy on local planning. The policy goes against the UK's legally binding climate targets, and it impacts all of us. We need your support - if you can, please contribute and share 👉 https://lnkd.in/edBzF6ue (If you missed our recent post, here's a recap of why this is so important 👉 https://lnkd.in/eftpDzWu)