Para 84 cites projected temperature increases and changes in precipitation patterns for the East of England by 2040. However, nothing is done with these figures. It would be useful for the preparation of the plan to include details of the potential effects of these changes, and for them to be factored in to relevant policies on water management, buildings etc.
The TCPA’s document Planning for Climate Change states that “Only by treating climate issues as central to policy formulation will a local authority have effectively discharged its duty under the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.” It is not clear that climate is really being treated as central in the draft plan – it is still seen as one policy issue among many, and does not really feature in the sections on the different settlements and on the economy. If the Greater Norwich councils are serious about addressing the climate crisis, all development and infrastructure decisions should be based on the project’s contribution to and compatibility with a rapid transition to zero carbon.