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Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD

Read the Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD 2024 (PDF) [1MB]

Read the Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD 2024 Questionnaire (Word doc) [91KB]

This SPD contains guidance for Local Plan policies that cover:  

  • climate change 
  • sustainable design and construction 
  • low and zero carbon energy 

It supersedes the Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD 2020, which we've now withdrawn.

The document contains: 

  • an overview of the relevant policies 
  • the information you should submit if you're applying for planning permission 
  • a questionnaire for non-major developments (you can also  open the questionnaire in Word (Word doc) [91KB]
  • guidance on sustainable design and construction best practice 

We adopted the SPD on 3 October 2024. Read the meeting minutes and public consultation comments we received. (opens new window)

You may also wish to read our adoption statement (PDF) [127KB]  or our consultation statement (PDF) [564KB] .

Visit the consultation webpage (opens new window) to learn more about the consultation on the SPD.
We also carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitat Regulations
Assessment (HRA) on the SPD. Read our  determination statement (PDF) [1MB] (PDF) [1MB] .

Notice of Withdrawal for the 2020 SPD

In accordance with Section 15 (2) of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) Guildford Borough Council hereby gives notice of the withdrawal of the Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD 2020. The SPD has been withdrawn because it has been superseded by the Climate Change, Sustainable Design, Construction and Energy SPD (2024).

Additional documents

Decision makers will assess Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) against DEFRA Non-statutory guidance for site waste management plans (2008) (PDF) [115KB] .