The Place Scrutiny Committee of Derbyshire Council was scheduled to discuss the development of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy for 2026-2030 and receive an update on the Planning Service. The committee was also due to review the Highways Policy Review Process and discuss its work programme.

Update on the Development of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2026-2030)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the development of Derbyshire County Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy for the period 2026-2030. This new strategy is intended to build upon the learning from the previous Climate Change Strategy: Achieving Net Zero (2021-2025), which was reported to be largely on track for delivery. The new strategy aims to provide a broader framework to support environmental, economic, and social benefits, including improved health and wellbeing, reduced fuel poverty, and greater access to green spaces.

A key focus of the proposed strategy will be to meet the Council's strengthened duties under the Environment Act 2021, which includes an enhanced Biodiversity Duty requiring public bodies to consider how they can conserve and enhance the natural environment. The strategy is also informed by an updated Environmental Sustainability Policy, approved in November 2025, which sets out the Council's commitment to protecting and enhancing Derbyshire's environment.

The report pack indicated that the new strategy would be structured around eight thematic priority areas:

• Conservation and enhancement of Derbyshire's natural environment and landscapes
• Efficient use of fuel, energy, and water
• Clean energy generation and use
• Air quality
• Circular economy and resource use
• Extreme and adverse weather resilience
• Improving local travel methods
• Strengthening people's connection with the natural environment

The strategy is intended to be a high-level framework for action, designed to be shorter and more accessible than its predecessor. It is also being developed with consideration for the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation, aiming to provide guiding principles that will be relevant to future arrangements. The development process involves collaboration across all Council departments, with workshops held to ensure alignment and deliverability. The strategy was scheduled for completion in Quarter 4 of 2025-26, with a view to being considered by Cabinet in Quarter 1 of 2026-27. The report pack recommended that the committee note the progress made and provide feedback on the emerging themes, ambitions, and delivery approach.

Planning Service Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a presentation from Nigel Atkinson, Assistant Director of Regulatory Services, providing an update on the Planning Service. The presentation was set to outline the statutory responsibilities of Derbyshire County Council's Planning Service, which include receiving, processing, and determining 'county matters' applications, primarily related to minerals, waste, education, and transport. The service is also responsible for enforcement concerning these types of planning issues. It was noted that the Council does not handle householder or commercial planning applications.

The update was also expected to cover the Council's Local Plans function, which involves preparing, consulting on, and adopting a Minerals Local Plan and a Waste Local Plan, undertaken jointly with Derby City Council. The presentation was to detail the Development Management function, including national targets for determining major applications within 13 weeks and minor applications within 8 weeks, as well as Environmental Impact Assessment developments within 16 weeks. A fundamental principle highlighted was that all planning applications must be determined in accordance with the Local Development Plan, which includes any adopted Neighbourhood Plans, as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The report pack indicated that the presentation would also address statutory consultations, where Derbyshire County Council acts as a consultee on planning applications determined by district and borough councils, as well as Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans, and developer contributions. The role of the Council as a statutory consultee on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) was also to be discussed, outlining the separate planning application consenting regime under the Planning Act 2008. Furthermore, the presentation was to cover developer contributions, commonly known as Section 106 agreements, which are legal obligations used to mitigate the impact of development and ensure that developers fund necessary additional infrastructure and services.

A significant portion of the update was dedicated to the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was undergoing consultation. The draft NPPF proposes substantial changes, including a restructuring into plan-making policies and National Decision-Making Policies (NDMPs). The report pack suggested that the introduction of NDMPs could lead to local plans conflicting with these national policies carrying very limited weight and a more permissive approach to releasing Green Belt land for housing delivery, with the overall aim of speeding up housing delivery. The potential impacts of Local Government Reorganisation on planning in Derbyshire were also to be considered.

Highways Policy Review Process

The report pack indicated that the Highways Policy Review Process was scheduled for discussion. It was noted that the review's Stage 1 was initially planned for the November meeting but had been rescheduled. Neill Bennett was mentioned in relation to this item, explaining that the overall policy would include a 'speeding protocol'. A summary of how policies are reviewed and their periodicity was expected to be provided at the February meeting.

Work Programme Discussion

The committee was scheduled to discuss its work programme. The report pack noted that items for the next meeting in February 2026 would include a Planning National Planning Framework update, providing information on the implementation of the Planning Framework in Derbyshire, and an Environmental Sustainability review of strategy and plans.