Climate Change Adaptation Support Project CLASP.

Context: Rossendale Borough Council Support focused on Planning Department Increase knowledge and skills of Planning Officers Better cross-departmental and corporate understanding Produce an action plan Facilitate information-sharing

Climate Change Risks Identified Flood Risk Extreme weather events Increased heat within buildings and outdoors Risks to biodiversity

Case Studies Workshop dealt with 4 development scenarios Groups assessed them in terms of climate change risks Flood risk Green Infrastructure Off-site flooding implications (downstream) Hard / impermeable surfacing issues How do existing policies help to manage risks? What other policies are required?

Planning Solutions Identified Site Allocations DPD: - Flood risk - Green Infrastructure Climate Change / Design SPD Development Management checklist Training of Members and Officers Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Run-off rates Financing of off-site schemes

Risks to Implementation Funding constraints / prioritisation of other work Risks to viability of developments Insufficient understanding of costs / benefits Responsibility for maintaining SuDS (County level) No local standard for sustainable building design beyond Building Regulations Council has no Flood Attenuation plan Insufficient technical knowledge / capacity Infrastructure knowledge deficit Member support

Ways Forward Planning Policy Prioritisation Guidance Infrastructure Joint Working Planning Obligations / CIL Costs and Benefits Training / Engagement Council Developments Climate Change Skills Fund

Outcomes from the CLASP support Sharing of knowledge and expertise between departments Realising that the basics of adaptation are already present A robust action plan Awareness of funding opportunities Identification of current constraints to adaptation