A presentation was given by Ben Smith.

The Chair sought more detail on the organisations ‘Drax’, ‘SSE Thermal’ and ‘Uni Per’. Ben Smith explained that Arup was working on energy strategies in Thurrock and also on Project Cavendish which brought all these organisations together. These organisations were investing into proposals of blue hydrogen and had brought it to Members’ attention so it could be considered how this would form part of Thurrock’s Local Plan process.

Going through the presentation, the Chair commented that the reduction of carbon emissions needed to be considered such as using the river for transport. She went on to say that trees had been planted around the Borough and that developers needed to incorporate more green spaces into plans. She mentioned flooding issues in Tilbury and wondered whether this was due to overdevelopment in the area. Ben Smith commented that current lockdown restrictions had highlighted the importance of green spaces and that the right data helped in the Local Plan process.

Councillor Rice said that he sat on the Flood Risk Committee and that flood gates had been improved so Tilbury was well protected. Same as Purfleet-on-Thames which had new flood barriers installed. He commented on central government’s requirement that domestic homes to remove gas central heating and combination boilers by a certain date. He pointed out that some people would not be able to afford to do this. Ben Smith said that central government’s recent plans showed an emphasis on removing residual gases from homes as part of their plans to decarbonise the country but there were other things that could be done in the home before that to make it more energy efficient. He went on to say that Arup was working on a government pilot scheme ‘High for Heat’ for hydrogen homes.

Leigh Nicholson commented that climate change needed to be embedded in the Local Plan process as it was about conscious decision making. The Local Plan was the blueprint for sustainable growth and ensuring the right infrastructure was in place through the location of homes, businesses, green spaces and other assets such as electric vehicle charging points. Strategies worked together which formed part of the Local Plan process and could not be seen in isolation.

The Task Force discussed electric vehicles and noted that central government aimed to stop the use of internal combustion vehicles by 2030. It was said that these were not affordable for some people so it was important that people were not overcharged for these. It was highlighted that Thurrock needed strategic electric vehicle charging points to ensure it was accessible and that new developments should incorporate these into their plans. Ben Smith highlighted the importance of cycling and walking where possible and that the use of cars should be reduced. He said that electric vehicles still had some environmental impacts. Leigh Nicholson said that a report on electric vehicle charging points had been brought to the Planning, Transport, Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2020 and would be circulated to Members. He said that the Planning Department had been imposing electric vehicle charging points in planning conditions for new developments and that there was a positive shifting change in developer’s attitudes towards these.