This guidance is written to provide practical hints and tips for local councillors and local government officers across the UK. Whilst the different UK Administrative areas have differing planning regimes, policies and frameworks, there is commonality in that each UK Administrative area, whether Westminster, the Senedd, Holyrood, or Stormont have all made commitments to reduce carbon emissions. In doing so the role of local councils is clear. They form part of the solution.

However, as this research identifies, there are limitations placed upon the actions that can be taken at a local level. In a regulatory sense this could be reasonably assumed to be because central administrations of their appointed agencies wish to retain a degree of control over planning policy at a government level. However, this guide demonstrates that in spite of restrictions, there are many routes by which councils can seek to influence better outcomes for the local environment, helping to reduce the impact of carbon and, at the same time, improve the health and well-being of local residents.

This guide provides practical hints and tips, explores the art of the possible and shares case study examples of positive influence over developers and other key stakeholders. It is not intended to be a legal guide to planning laws and regulations and as ever APSE would always advise that you seek your own competent advice on both legal matters and planning. That being said it is hoped that this guidance will assist both officers and councillors in asking the right questions, maximising the impact of local developments and ensuring that, in spite of the relatively weak planning powers available to local councils, every opportunity is made of the ability to reduce carbon, improve local biodiversity and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for local people.