What you need to do

Developers must show how developments will meet the standards set out by local planning policy by producing an energy statement. To do this, you will need to go through the following process.

1. Identify what the baseline energy demand of your development is if built to 2006 Part L building regulations and what the associated CO₂ emissions are.
2. Identify an adjusted baseline consisting of the predicted energy demand and associated CO₂ emissions taking into account any proposed use of combined heat and power or any proposed improvements in energy efficiency over the minimum building regulation standard.
3. Identify what your target reduction is. Depending on your local authority, this may be a percentage reduction in baseline CO₂ emissions (from energy use) or a percentage reduction in energy demand or CO₂ emissions of the adjusted baseline as a result of using renewable energy sources.
4. Identify and compare a range of options including energy efficiency, combined heat and power (CHP) and renewable energy, taking into account performance, feasibility, cost and planning restrictions.
5. Once you choose a solution, you need to produce final figures for energy demand and CO₂ emissions. These are usually based on a SAP or SBEM rating.

 To find out how C-Plan can help you simplify the process, see How C-Plan can help you.