Energy and Sustainability Statements

Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) now increasingly demand energy or sustainability statements to accompany planning applications. We have undertaken Energy Statements for many schemes, most of them being located in London, Bristol and Bedford. For the schemes requiring Energy Statements, LPAs expect those schemes will be able to reduce CO₂ emissions and energy consumption by a certain percentage over the 2013 Building Regulations.

We have a quick turnaround time for Energy Statements depending on the size of the scheme. For example, for small developments with less than 5 units, we can normally complete the report within 3-5 working days. Our service is also affordable. Please get in touch for a friendly discussion and some initial advice.

1. Energy Statement

What is an Energy Statement?

An Energy Statement shows the predicted CO₂ emissions and energy consumption for the proposed development and a clear strategy for reducing these through the "Energy Hierarchy" principles including building fabric efficiency, district heating networks or CHP, and on-site generation of renewable energy.

Though different LPAs may have different CO₂ reduction targets and different formats for energy statements, the general “Energy Hierarchy” principles for reducing carbons stay the same across LPAs including London, Bristol, Bedford and many others.

Energy statements should be submitted at the planning application stage. The energy statement must clearly outline the applicant’s commitments in terms of CO₂ savings and measures proposed. Those commitments and measures will normally become part of your planning conditions if your projects are granted planning permissions. Therefore it is vital to have an energy statement undertaken as accurately as possible.

What schemes require Energy Statements?

The schemes requiring Energy Statements differ between LPAs. The requirement for an Energy Statement normally applies to “major” new developments. However we have seen a rapid rise in demand by LPAs for Energy Statements for very small schemes including the provision of, or conversion to, a single new dwelling. For example, the L.B. Enfield LPA gives the following pre-planning advice:

“ENERGY STATEMENT - As your proposed development involves the provision or conversion of 1+ new dwellings or involves the creation of 100+ sq.m. of floorspace, you will need to submit an Energy Statement in accordance with London Plan Policies 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, and Core Policy 20 of Enfield's Core Strategy 2010.”

What content is included in our Energy Statement reports?

Our energy statement, strictly following the “Energy Hierarchy” principles stipulated in the London Plan and many other local planning policies, will typically include the following staged assessments:

STAGE 1 Baseline energy demand assessment. Part L Building Regulations 2013 currently provides the baseline standard that all buildings must meet. Our report will establish the baseline carbon emissions for a notional building constructed in accordance with the proposed building shape and size, and performance requirements set in the Part L 2013.
STAGE 2 "Be Lean" energy demand assessment and recommendations. The developments should seek to maximise the insulating properties (U-values) of the building fabric, achieve high levels of air tightness, and provide efficient services and lighting to reduce energy demand in buildings. Our report will provide clear recommendations on building fabric and service improvements.
STAGE 3 "Be Clean" energy demand assessment and recommendations. The developments should seek to supply the expected energy demands as efficiently as possible. Our report will evaluate the feasibility of decentralised energy systems (which may be fed by combined heat and power systems), and where possible to connect to existing district heating networks.
STAGE 4 "Be Green" energy demand assessment and recommendations. The developments should seek to incorporate renewable technology. Our report will assess the feasibility of various renewable technologies and provide advice on the most suitable technology for the site.

What methodology is used to produce Energy Statements?

SAP and SBEM are used to establish energy demand at the above stages. All these SAP and SBEM calculations can be updated at the later stage for the purpose of Building Regulations Approvals.

2. Sustainability Statement

A Sustainability Statement needs to consider a much wider range of environmental issues and outlines a strategy to reduce development's negative impact on our environment. A typical sustainability statements will assess the following issues: