Policy EQ1 requires new developments to reduce carbon emissions by minimising energy consumption and using renewable and low-carbon energy technologies. This applies to all developments in Hounslow, and the council will resist developments that do not meet these requirements. The council will support developments that use innovative solutions, such as district heating networks, and will encourage the use of off-site carbon reduction initiatives.
Plain-English summary of the adopted policy text below. The full text is the rule; this is the gist.
9.2 Building Regulations now set national policy for carbon emission reductions in new buildings and will, in step-changes, lead to zero carbon development by 2016 for housing and 2019 for non-residential uses. The means for achieving zero carbon development are evolving, but are likely to include opportunities for qualifying developments to contribute to off-site carbon reduction initiatives. Certainly, however, taking account of layout, building orientation, massing, materials and construction techniques to minimise energy consumption, as well as the use of renewable and low carbon energy technologies will be central to achieving reduced emissions.
The London Plan includes detailed policies on these measures, and it is expected that these will be updated to reflect changes to national policy, along with the Mayor of London’s Sustainable Design and Construction SPG. Innovative solutions will be encouraged, including the deployment of district heating networks where regeneration comes forward.
Notes
Hounslow | Local Plan
Climate Change Act 2008 requires the net UK carbon account for the year 2050 to be at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline.
Energy Planning, the GLA’s guidance on preparing energy statements, sets out how statements should be prepared to be consistent with the London Plan’s energy policy. Developments should prepare energy statements consistent with this guidance or any subsequent updates.
The means for achieving zero carbon development are emerging, though it is likely that development will need to meet certain low carbon standards through on-site measures called ‘carbon compliance’, and use ‘allowable solutions’ to mitigate remaining emissions to zero. ‘Allowable solutions’ would involve paying a third party to mitigate emissions on the behalf of developers using a suite of initiatives such as district heating or energy-to-waste schemes. To facilitate this, it is likely that Private Third Party providers of allowable solutions will come forward, and the council
may also choose to establish a body, known as a Community Energy Fund (CEF), to collect and spend monies on a locally managed list of solutions. Developers should refer to any supplementary guidance regarding allowable solutions, including the potential to contribute to a future Community Energy Fund, where it is proposed to use these to meet Building Regulations requirements.
The council may also use other means to reduce emissions, including a Local Carbon Offset Fund. Should these come forward; supplementary guidance will set out expectations for development.
The Carbon Reduction Evidence Base considers options for reducing carbon emissions, and identifies that Brentford and Hounslow town centres are suitable for local heat and power networks. This is supported by the London Heat Map report for the borough, which also identifies a number of schemes that may be viable.
The District Heating Manual for London provides useful guidance for developers on the technical aspects of decentralised energy networks.
environmental quality EQ2 - SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Our approach We will promote the highest standards of sustainable design and construction in development to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Hounslow | Local Plan
We will achieve this by
(a) Promoting sustainable design and construction, consistent with the principles established in the London Plan;
(b) Using national standards for sustainable design and construction to assess environmental credentials of developments, and requiring schemes to meet specified levels as minimum; and
(c) Encouraging the take-up of opportunities to improve the resource efficiency of existing homes and buildings through refurbishment to retrofitting, including through working with partner agencies such as Historic England to secure improvements in heritage assets.
We will expect development proposal to
(d) Incorporate established principles for sustainable design and construction as set out in the London Plan, including passive solar design, water efficiency standards, sustainable drainage, the reuse and recycling of construction materials, green roofs and urban greening;
(e) Be assessed against the standards for sustainable design and construction set out in Table EQ2.1 and submit relevant documentation to demonstrate that minimum specified levels are met or meet any national standards that subsequently supersede these; and
(f) Prepare a sustainability statement, where major developments are proposed.
environmental quality EQ2 - SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION We are taking this approach because
Table EQ2.1: Standards for sustainable design and construction
Development in the borough will be expected to meet the following minimum standards, unless they are replaced by any applicable national standards.