Decision details

Policy SCR6 of the LPPU sets out energy use standards that new residential development is required to meet. The Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD sets out the information that applicants are required to submit in order to demonstrate compliance with the energy use standards in the policy. It is proposed to amend the SPD to enable the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) to be used for applications for schemes of up to 25 dwellings (including a maximum of 9 flats). Currently SAP can only be used for minor applications of up to 9 dwellings, with the more complicated PHPP (Passivhaus) tool required for schemes of 10 dwellings or more. The proposed amendment to the SPD will be subject to public consultation.

(1)  To approve the amendments to the Sustainable Construction Checklist Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

(2)  To approve the updated version of Energy Summary Tool 1.

(3)  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning to make any editorial changes, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development, prior to consultation on the amendments to the Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD.

(4)  To authorize officers to undertake public consultation on amendments to the Sustainable Construction SPD.

The current Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD contains key assessment criteria and information which should be submitted with applications for new build residential properties, major new non- residential buildings and medium scale development of existing buildings. To show compliance with Policy SCR6: New Build Residential Development applicants must complete and submit the Energy Summary Tool. The Energy Summary Tool is an aid to ensure building energy performance modelling is accurate and indicates policy compliance. Currently Energy Summary Tool 1 is to be completed for minor applications of up to 9 dwellings, using data produced by SAP and Energy Summary Tool 2 is to be completed for major applications of 10 dwellings or more using data produced by PHPP.

An updated version of Energy Summary Tool 1 was developed (by Etude) to post-process SAP calculation results to produce more realistic and accurate figures and to indicate compliance with policy SCR6. The updated version has a more sophisticated method for adjusting and correcting SAP values, meaning the tool more effectively accounts for the shortfalls that exist within SAP and adjusts these values, so the outputs are more closely aligned with PHPP values.

This updated version offers improvements including: it can be applied to more proposals (up to 25 dwellings, including a maximum of 9 apartments); it is quicker and easier to use and a secondary heating source can be factored in.

None.