Net Zero Carbon Development Plan
(13) 5 Overarching strategy
5.1 New development that falls within the scope of this Development Plan (as set out in 5.1 below) is expected to comply with the whole Plan.
Policy NZC1: Achieving Net Zero Carbon Development
New development should achieve net zero carbon emissions. To do achieve this, developments will be expected to demonstrate that three critical elements have been considered holistically:
- Reduce energy demand by bringing forward and implementing proposals that minimise demand for energy in operation taking account of up to date technology that enables occupants to live in ways that minimise energy demands and energy efficient layout and design
- Incorporate and utilise zero or low carbon energy sources, taking account of the availability and/or potential for large scale, low carbon energy sources and by incorporating passive and renewable energy sources within the development. Where fossil fuel based energy sources must be utilised, the technology incorporated within developments should ensure proposals are "zero carbon ready"
- Offset any residual carbon to bring the total operational carbon emissions to net zero. Offsetting should be delivered within or as close as possible to the development.
Policy NZC2(A-D) sets out the detailed policy requirements for new development
5.2 This strategy has been designed to deliver the objectives set out in section 4 above. The focus is on providing a practical and viable approach to deliver new development which is net zero carbon in operation – in other words the net zero carbon emissions will occur following completion of the development.
5.3 The strategy seeks to achieve this by asking applicants to address carbon emissions in three ways:
5.3.1 1: Reduce energy demands. Developments should be designed to minimise demand for energy in operation, thereby minimising carbon emissions. This involves:
a) Considering the potential for technology that enables occupants to live in ways that minimise energy demands
b) Maximising energy efficiency.
5.3.2 2: Zero or low carbon energy sources. To meet energy demands in operation, developments should incorporate or utilise zero or low carbon energy sources. This involves:
a) Considering the potential to utilise large scale renewable or low carbon energy sources such as heat networks or local large-scale renewable energy generation sources, preferably through a direct connect.
b) Incorporating passive and renewable energy sources within the development.
5.3.3 3: Carbon Offsetting. Developments that result in residual operational carbon emissions having incorporated stage 1 and stage 2, will be subject to carbon offsetting requirements to bring the total operational carbon emissions to net zero.
5.4 Policy NZC2 sets out what is required of development proposals to demonstrate the delivery of this strategy. The policies in this plan will apply to the following new developments:
- All new residential developments of 1 dwelling or more
- Other new residential buildings with a floor area over 30 square metres (or 15 square metres if it includes sleeping accommodation) which require planning permission and which will be physically separate from the main dwelling (for instance domestic outbuildings) or which will or could be used separately from the main dwelling
- Where planning permission is required, change of use or conversions to residential or commercial uses
- All new non-residential buildings.
