About the Planning for Sustainability SPD

The City of London Corporation has adopted an ambitious Climate Action Strategy which sets out how the Square Mile will achieve net zero, build climate resilience and champion sustainable growth.

The City of London Local Plan, adopted in 2015, is the planning strategy for the City. It sets out the vision for the Square Mile and contains policies which guide planning decisions within the City. The Plan is currently under review and will be replaced by the new 'City Plan 2040', once adopted in 2025. Climate change mitigation and adaptation are key priorities of the City Plan. 

The purpose of the Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is to provide guidance on how applicants should approach sustainability in their developments through the application process. It provides additional detail and guidance on how to fulfil policies of the current Local Plan, as well as emerging policies. Specifically it: 

• Sets out the key approaches the City of London Corporation is targeting on different sustainability themes. 
• Identifies a list of key actions. 
• Provides guidance on what, how and when relevant sustainability aspects should be considered during the planning application process. 
• Provides a collation of relevant recommended standards, certifications and guidelines.

The SPD is for the use of applicant teams, City of London Corporation Officers and decision makers. It sets out what planning officers expect to see addressed through the design and planning process.

The Planning for Sustainability SPD is accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Opinion and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening.

The SEA Screening Opinion considers whether the Planning for Sustainability SPD requires a SEA in accordance with the SEA Regulations. 

The HRA determines that the Planning for Sustainability SPD would not adversely affect any ‘European Site’ in accordance with the Habitat Regulations (HR) 2017. 

The conclusions of both reports indicate that a full SEA/HRA is not required.