Policy Requirements

The UK Government has ambitious targets for national CO₂ emissions reductions and sees the planning process as a key driver in delivering these. As a result, planners are being asked to respond by setting specific local policy to help reduce CO₂ emissions from energy in new developments. Developers need to be aware of these policies to ensure new buildings are granted planning permission.

Current policies to be aware of

“Definition of Zero Carbon Homes and Non-Domestic Buildings: Consultation” - proposes a definition of zero carbon homes, based on high energy efficiency, on- or near-site carbon reduction and allowable solutions for dealing with the remaining emissions.

“Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement” - confirms the Government's position for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 and sets out a package of measures intended to achieve this.

Building Regulations – Building regulations set minimum standards for energy efficiency in new developments. Part L sets out minimum CO₂ emissions and levels of energy efficiency.

Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) – Published in Dec 2006 CSH will become ‘active’ in April 2007 when all new homes will be  assessed against a sustainability rating system. It is proposed that this act as a national standard and that assessment against it should be mandatory by April 2008.

The rating system runs from level 1 to level 6 (where 6 is the highest standard, indicating a zero carbon home i.e. zero net emissions from all energy use in the home).

“Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development“ – PPS1 establishes the overarching planning policies for delivery of sustainable development, including carbon impacts of new developments.

A supplement to PPS1, “Planning and Climate Change“ sets out planning policies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, including CO₂ emissions of new developments. Web-based guidance to the supplement has also recently been published.

“Planning Policy Statement 22: Planning for Renewable Energy“ – PPS22 sets out the governments policies for renewable energy within the planning system with an overall aim of increasing capacity from renewable sources of energy. All new developments should therefore seek to make use of renewable energy sources where practicable. “Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide“ is also available.

The “Merton Rule” – Many Local Authorities have responded to PPS 22 by putting policy in place, which requires new development to include a percentage of energy demand from renewable sources The London Borough of Merton was first to adopt such a policy, setting the percentage at 10%. Local Authorities across the UK are following suit by imposing their own percentage-based target.

Planners are beginning to establish their own unique targets. For example, percentage reduction in total CO₂ emissions (from all energy use) below minimum building regulations standards (higher reductions are also being introduced as in the case of Woking Borough Council, for example).

Find out how C-Plan can help you keep up to date with policy changes and help you to meet specific criteria.

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