Here is a summary of what was scheduled to be discussed at the Planning and Transportation Committee meeting. The meeting included discussion of a review of the Carbon Options Guidance Planning Advice Note, and a progress report on the Environment Department Business Plan 2025/26. Also on the agenda were updates on risk management, the Transport Strategy: Vision Zero Action Plan, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and the Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2024/25.

Review of the Carbon Options Guidance Planning Advice Note

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding a review of the Carbon Options Guidance Planning Advice Note (COG PAN), which was adopted in March 2023. The report recommended that the committee agree to adopt the revised COG PAN Version 02, and the associated Carbon Options Tools spreadsheet Version 02.

The COG PAN sets out a methodology for estimating and comparing the whole life-cycle carbon emissions of multiple development options for a specific site. Since its adoption, there have been changes to policies and regulations, including modifications to the City Plan 2040¹ and the adoption of the Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The proposed modifications to the COG PAN include:

• Updates to Chapter 1, 'Carbon in Planning policy', relating to the emerging City Plan 2040 and the adoption of the Planning for Sustainability SPD.
• Clarification of the COG methodology and building elemental scope required for optioneering studies in Chapter 2, 'Whole life-cycle carbon assessments for pre-application optioneering and planning applications'.
• Clarification in Chapter 3, 'Introduction to carbon optioneering', of which planning application proposals should undertake optioneering, and which could be exempt. All major application schemes and non-major developments should carry out carbon optioneering if they do not propose to retain at least 50% (by area) of an existing building. A retrofit scheme might not be subject to optioneering if it can clearly demonstrate it would ensure the lowest level of intervention needed to achieve a sustainable development, including full retention and use of existing substructure, and major reuse of existing superstructure (80% of floor area, or higher).
• Various clarifications in Chapter 6, 'Carbon optioneering methodology at pre-app stage', relating to minimum information requirements about the existing building, scoping of options, achieving a consistent approach to the carbon calculations across the options, and reporting requirements where there are multiple buildings on a site.
• Addition to Chapter 7, 'Third-party review', of a reference to the 'Third-party review governance' document and related spreadsheet 'Third-party review framework' prepared by Arup for the City Corporation.
• Further context in Chapter 8, 'The consideration of options in the planning application process', on the relationship between GLA pre-redevelopment Audits and City Corporation Carbon Options Studies. The chapter reiterates the WLC assessment reporting requirements from application stage onwards, echoing the requirements set out in the Planning for Sustainability SPD. Further guidance is provided in cases where application schemes are 'substantially different' from all assessed options, and applicants submitting planning proposals 'substantially different' from all options presented will be required to produce and submit an addendum to the Carbon Options Study previously submitted to explain and justify deviations.

The Carbon Options Tool has been updated to reflect the changes in the COG PAN, to provide more helpful contextual detail and clearly defined outputs.

Environment Department Business Plan 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Executive Director, Environment, on the Environment Department Business Plan 2025/26.

Transport Strategy: Vision Zero Action Plan Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Executive Director, Environment, on the Transport Strategy: Vision Zero Action Plan. The City of London's Transport Strategy includes a 'Vision Zero' commitment, aiming for no deaths or serious injuries on the City's streets by 2041.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the City Remembrancer² and the Executive Director Environment on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Chamberlain³ regarding the Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2024/25 and related funding of highway improvements and schemes.