Sector hits out at council’s carbon targets

Planning and urban design consultancy Turley Associates has hit out at carbon reduction targets proposed by Leeds City Council, which it said could damage the city’s long-term economic prospects.

The Leeds-based firm said the accelerated targets proposed by the council in its draft core strategy would present “major challenges” to the development sector.

The document, which will direct development across the district for the next 15 years, said that all new building – both commercial and residential – must achieve carbon reductions of 20 per cent below building regulations until 2016, after which a zero carbon target is set.

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Turley Associates held a seminar, attended by more than 20 housebuilders and commercial property developers, to discuss the document. It said delegates “unanimously agreed” that the targets would adversely affect development.

Bob May, Leeds office director at Turley Associates, said: “Leeds City Council is sending out very mixed messages – the core strategy recognises that development will deliver economic growth, but then asks development to contribute more than its fair share of carbon reductions.

“It is right that a city such as Leeds should have carbon reduction targets as part of a wider climate change mitigation strategy and indeed this is welcomed and supported by the development sector, we do think these policies will be impracticable and should be redrafted.

“All new buildings and refurbishments must comply with the national building regulations, and developers are telling us that these are already pretty hard to meet. To add this 20 per cent premium, particularly at a time when developers are struggling, is not helpful and goes against government guidance.

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“Developers attending our seminar urge the council to recognise the position on the ground and we would be happy to engage with the council to identify alternative policies.”

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: “The draft core strategy is currently out for public consultation until April 12, 2012. We welcome comments from stakeholders and other interested parties, and the feedback we get will be used to inform the final version.”

The seminar on the Leeds Core Strategy formed part of a series of seminars for housebuilders and developers.

The series will conclude on March 20 with a seminar looking at the impact of the Localism Act on development in the region.