Object

Representation ID: 6967

Received: 25/09/2009

Respondent: Bishops Tachbrook Parish Council

Sustainable Buildings
The use of BREEAM and other Regulatory required standards such as SAP ratings as part of the Building Regulation process will determine the energy ratings of new building and alteration works. As these standards increase due to European commission rules, planning authorities will have to accept new types of building construction and changes in visual appearance of buildings if zero carbon targets are to be met. Renewables in domestic situations are unlikely to give significant quantities of energy because the technology at present does not exist but authorities could fill that gap by initiating and facilitating larger initiatives such as hydropower from the Leam, ground-source heat pumps and industrial waste heat for district heating schemes. The Parish Council believes that all reasonable options have been identified.
However, the reduction target is far too low. Zero carbon should be the goal. Warwick District should set the highest achievable standard for the reduction in energy consumption based on technologies as they are developed It is far easier to reduce energy consumption in a new dwelling. But the biggest problem is the millions of existing buildings that are no where near any standard and there is no programme of retrofitting the necessary works to improve this. The core strategy is an opportunity to make a positive impact on climate change by identifying the poorest performers in the District and including them in a redevelopment programme of some sort compatible with the housing requirements of the RSS. For that reason, we object to the Preferred Option.