Greenwich Council has formally adopted a new Climate Resilience Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), signalling a significant step towards enhancing the borough's preparedness for the impacts of climate change.
The document, approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, replaces the previous Greener Greenwich SPD and provides updated guidance on climate resilience and sustainability for new developments. The SPD aims to help developments become more resilient to climate change impacts, such as extreme weather, and reduce carbon emissions.
The Climate Resilience SPD is designed to address a range of climate change impacts, including extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall leading to surface water flooding, and extreme heat and cold spells. It also aims to mitigate the urban heat island effect through urban planting and other measures, and combat drought by promoting urban planting to retain water. Furthermore, the SPD highlights the role of urban planting in improving air quality by trapping dangerous particulate matter from traffic pollution and promotes natural drainage and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to manage excess rainfall and prevent flash flooding.
Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, highlighted the importance of the document. This SPD provides crucial guidance for developments to become more resilient to climate change impacts such as extreme weather and to reduce carbon emissions,
she stated.
The document covers key areas including urban planting, biodiversity, air quality, energy efficiency for both existing and new buildings, and transformative adaptations for extensions and improvements.
Transformative Adaptations and Existing Buildings
The SPD envisions 'transformative adaptations' for extensions and improvements, with a primary focus on urban greening and a nature-first approach. Examples include incorporating trees, boundary hedges, shrubs, and climbing plants into designs, as well as planting on roofs and walls. Natural drainage solutions, such as permeable paving and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), are encouraged. The SPD also prioritizes sustainable materials with low embodied carbon and promotes low-carbon energy systems like solar panels and heat pumps.
Beyond new developments, the SPD offers guidance for improving the climate resilience of existing buildings and infrastructure. Chapter 3 focuses on the Whole Building Approach (WBA) for refurbishment, including advice on roof and wall insulation, window upgrades, and the use of low-carbon energy systems. It also provides specific guidance for heritage buildings, emphasizing the need for Listed Building Consent while still encouraging energy efficiency measures where possible. Chapter 2, 'Greening the Grey', strongly emphasizes urban planting as a transformative adaptation for climate resilience, applicable to existing properties.
Targets and Enforcement
While the Climate Resilience SPD does not explicitly detail specific key performance indicators (KPIs) or targets, it references several benchmarks and aspirations. These include supporting the Council's target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, meeting London Plan Policy SI2 for improving air quality, and encouraging applicants to aspire to LETI embodied carbon targets. For domestic buildings, a target Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of no more than 35 kWh/m2GIA/yr is set, with a space heating demand of less than 15 kWh/m2 GIA/yr for all dwellings and non-domestic buildings. Major development schemes are also required to achieve a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
The SPD, once adopted, will become a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Planning officers will consider its guidance when assessing proposals. While the SPD itself does not introduce new planning policies, it strengthens the Council's ability to achieve climate-resilient and sustainable new development. Adherence to planning policies and conditions is generally secured through planning conditions for developments and compliance with adopted national, regional, and local policies. Failure to comply can lead to planning applications being refused or requiring amendments.
Public Consultation
The document was developed following a public consultation that ran from September 8 to November 2, 2025. Feedback from residents, stakeholders, and statutory consultees has been incorporated into the final SPD. Key themes from the consultation included strong support for urban greening and SuDS, with concerns raised about implementation, maintenance, and enforcement. Public sentiment also indicated varied confidence in implementing interventions, with a desire for more effective approaches to lowering carbon and environmental impacts. The council responded by amending text for clarity, adding concept explanations, and providing summary sections and resource signposts. While the SPD cannot introduce new policies, it bridges existing and emerging local plan policies and aligns with national and regional guidance. Some concerns, such as increasing BNG targets beyond statutory requirements or banning glyphosate, were outside the SPD's remit.
The full Climate Resilience SPD can be accessed here: Appendix A Climate Resilience SPD January 2026.
The Adoption of the Climate Resilience Supplementary Planning Document SPD report is available here: Adoption of the Climate Resilience Supplementary Planning Document SPD.
The Consultation Statement can be found here: Appendix B Consultation Statement.
Further details on the EQIA and SEA screening assessment are available in: Appendix C EQIA and SEA Screening Assessment.
An Adoption Statement is also provided: Appendix D Adoption Statement.
