Climate change impact assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.
This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.
If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk
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Title of proposal |
Community Housing Fund |
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Brief description of proposal |
To update on the Community Housing Fund position and to seek approval to use £1m from the Council Tax precept on second homes to further support the work of the Community Housing Fund in North Yorkshire from April 2025.
To seek approval for a consolidated North Yorkshire Community Housing Fund Framework to cover allocation of legacy CHF resources and any future projects funded from council tax premium from April 2025 (Appendix A).
To seek delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Housing to approve allocations from the existing Community Housing Fund in line with the Community Housing Fund Framework.
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Directorate |
Community Development |
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Service area |
Housing |
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Lead officer |
Angela Walmsley |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
Angela Walmsley Senior Housing Enabler. |
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Date impact assessment started |
26/07/2024 |
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Options appraisal Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.
Community Housing Fund monies are ring fenced to enable CLH delivery and can be used for no other purpose. There is no other comparable funding available for CLH groups.
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What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?
Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.
The fund will be derived from Council tax precept on second homes and therefore has no impact on current council budgets.
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?
Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO2e · Links to relevant documents |
Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
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x |
Travel to and from construction site will increase emissions in the short term whilst construction of the properties is taking place. |
CLH projects are delivered in the community for local residents decreasing the need for long journeys to and from support networks/work/education, reducing emissions, particularly in rural areas. |
Mitigation for construction emissions could be building offsite and transporting as flat pack. Encouraging use of Electric Vehicles to travel to site. Installation of EV chargers to built houses to encourage uptake of EV and reduce concerns around charging
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Emissions from construction |
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X |
Construction will increase emissions due to use of materials and machinery in construction phase. |
CLH projects often look to construct properties using MMC/ offsite modular construction and take into consideration the impact to the environment during every stage of the process Explore potential to use recycled as opposed to raw materials in construction and take into account disposal of waste - considering the full life cycle of a product Explore with contractors use of electric/hydrogen plant on site (including generators). Explore building in line with BREEAM V.Good standard
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Emissions from running of buildings |
x |
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CLH projects usually deliver the homes to a high environmental standard to reduce the impact on both their local environment and also to reduce running costs for residents, to keep the homes truly affordable. This means there is a long term positive impact on emissions when homes are delivered to, (for example) Passivhaus standard. To achieve Passivhaus, the homes must involve: · Accurate design modelling using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) · Very high levels of insulation · Extremely high performance windows with insulated frames · Airtight building fabric · 'thermal bridge free' construction · A mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery
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We will continue to engage with communities to encourage them deliver housing to the highest environmental standards as possible, signposting them to specialist technical support and to peer support from groups who have already delivered similar schemes. |
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Emissions from data storage |
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x |
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Not applicable |
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Other |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
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x |
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There is likely to be waste from any construction, both during and after. |
Considerations will be given in regard to minimising waste at planning stage. Modular offsite construction can reduce waste on site and recycled and composite products used where appropriate. |
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Reduce water consumption |
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x |
Water consumption will increase during the construction phase of the project. Additionally, the development of more homes will ultimately increase water consumption in any given area. |
All projects will be subject to relevant planning policies regarding water consumption and waste. Many CLH projects consider rainwater harvesting and other water saving initiatives in the construction of their homes such as grey water for flushing of toilettes or Installation of aerators on all taps to reduce water flow
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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x |
There will be an immediate negative impact on the environment short term, during the construction stage, due to use of machinery, Delivery of materials to site, excess use of water and run off during construction process etc. This is to be expected and is a time limited impact |
All projects are subject to stringent planning policies which seek to mitigate the impact of pollution. Additionally Community Led projects are often built to Passivhaus standard or BREEAM Certification standard and seek to address any impact on their local environment. Use of low emissions vehicles in construction and satisfy Biodiversity Net Gain requirements (in line with planning)
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
x |
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Community led projects build to high industry standards such as Passivhaus or Breeam which have regard for climate change and the long- term effects. Additionally, all development projects are subject to stringent planning and building regulations, which take the impact of climate change into consideration.
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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x |
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Many Community Led Projects incorporate conservation aspects within the overall design of the scheme, these could be communal gardens, community orchards, allotments or community growing spaces for sustainable living. Additionally all projects must adhere to local and national planning frameworks, including biodiversity net gain. |
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Early engagement with groups encouraging inclusion of additional conservation initiatives on site. |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape
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x |
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These will be considered during the planning stage of the delivery process, particularly for projects within National parks and protected landscapes. |
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Other (please state below)
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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BREEAM – which is a standard which facilitates the reduction of carbon emissions to net zero, improve whole life performance, manage health and social impacts, boost circularity, resilience and biodiversity, and support disclosures and reporting Passivhaus All proposals are subject to National Planning Policy framework and local planning policies along with building regulation requirements.
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Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.
Project will have an immediate but short - lived negative impact on the environment, whilst construction is underway. However, the nature of Community led housing projects is such that they are built to high environmental standards, often but not always build to Passivhaus or BREEAM Standards or using Modern Methods of construction. The properties are owned and managed by the community themselves, so they are designed to mitigate the negative effects on the environment, particularly in relation to water consumption and energy usage as these also have an impact on the affordability for the resident. Furthermore, all projects are subject to stringent planning and building regulations including Biodiversity Net Gain. Many Community led projects include community orchards/gardens or communal growing areas for sustainable living and some include community led energy projects.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Andrew Rowe
Date: 21 October 2024
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