Westminster Labour has adopted a revised and expanded Environment Supplementary Planning Document which marks a real shift in how we expect development to work in our city. The new guidance gives much greater weight to environmental standards for new development including new guidance on air quality, energy, biodiversity, flood risk, noise, overheating and, crucially, retrofit.
Tacking the climate emergency is now central to how we manage development in Westminster. The new guidance supports both the City Plan and Westminster’s commitment to becoming a net zero city by 2040.
Retrofit first (but not retrofit only)
One of the biggest changes is a far stronger emphasis on retaining and upgrading existing buildings. Too often in the past, demolition was treated as the starting point – this is wasteful and very carbon intensive. That’s why we have vintroduced a new “retrofit first” planning policy. The revised SPD gives more details about what we mean and why refurbishment and retrofit are key to cutting emissions, improving energy efficiency and reducing waste.
Cleaning up our air
In a city where over a million people move through our streets each day, improving air quality is a public health priority. The revised SPD strengthens how planning decisions support cleaner air. All developments must now meet at least Air Quality Neutral standards and larger schemes in key areas must go further through an Air Quality Positive approach.
The Environment SPD also gives guidance on tackling a growing source of emissions: commercial cooking. The guidance promotes electrification, improved ventilation systems and reduced fossil fuel use in heating and kitchens
Designing for a hotter future
We need to be designing buildings that are fit for the climate of the 2040s so the
SPD also responds directly to the reality of rising temperatures. The 2022 heatwave led to nearly 3,000 excess deaths nationally and Central London can experience temperatures up to 8–9°C higher than surrounding areas due to the urban heat island effect.
That is why major developments will now be required to submit cooling strategies aligned with the Mayor’s Cooling Hierarchy prioritising passive cooling, shading, green roofs and better ventilation before developers consider energy-intensive air conditioning.
Greener streets, stronger standards
The revised document also strengthens requirements around:
- Urban greening and biodiversity net gain
- Flood resilience and sustainable drainage
- Noise protection, including protection for Westminster’s tranquil open spaces
- Construction impacts and stricter application of the Code of Construction Practice
Together, these changes show our determination that development must be sustainable.
Delivering a Fairer Environment
The Environment SPD directly supports our Fairer Westminster strategy, including our commitment to a Fairer Environment and a healthier, greener city. Westminster Labour believes that we don’t need to choose between the environment and growth. Following this new guidance, we can grow, build and raise standards at the same time.
Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development, said:
“Westminster is one of the most successful places in the world. But success brings responsibility. This strengthened guidance makes clear that new development must cut emissions, protect residents from pollution and heat, and prioritise retrofit over demolition wherever possible.
We are not afraid to raise expectations because building a fairer city means building a more sustainable one.”