Net Zero Carbon Development Plan Document - Main Modifications 2023
4 Aims and Objectives
4.1 Aim
4.1.1 This DPD aims to minimise carbon emissions from existing and new buildings within the District to support the achievement of national and local carbon reduction targets set out in section 1.1 and paragraph 2.5 above. From adoption (and earlier where possible) the DPD will aim to ensure all new developments (as set out on para 5.11) should be net zero carbon in operation. For the purposes of this DPD net zero carbon relates to regulated operational energy, which results from fixed building services and fittings (space heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation and lighting).
Main Modification PMM09
4.1.2 In achieving this aim, the DPD will ensure that new development does not add to the District's carbon deficit and will therefore ensure that the significant cost of retrofitting buildings to achieve net zero carbon does not increase.To work towards this aim, the DPD is designed to ensure that new development’s contribution to the District’ s carbon deficit is minimised and that new homes do not add to the significant number of existing buildings in the District that will need costly and disruptive retrofit as part of the local and national transition to achieve net zero carbon. By bringing forward performance standards equivalent to the Future Homes Standard (two years in advance of its national introduction) the new homes should not need future retrofit, and by collecting carbon offset payments the DPD will raise funds to deliver other vital but currently underfunded actions necessary for the national and local transition to net zero – such as additional renewable energy, retrofit of other existing buildings, or creation of woodland.
Main Modification PMM10
4.2.1 Objective 1: To provide a clear policy framework to enable developers to understand the requirements for planning proposals to ensure new buildings are planned and constructed to be net zero regulated carbon in operation.
Main Modification PMM11
4.2.2 Objective 2: To ensure practical and viable low carbon building standards that can be applied to new and existing buildings.
4.2.3 Objective 3: To support the consideration of low carbon energy sources as part of development proposals.
4.2.4 Objective 4: As a last resort, to provide the policy framework for addressing residual carbon from new buildings through a robust carbon offsetting policy.