01 / Introduction

The consultation draft of the Greater London Authority’s new London Plan was released in December 2017 with the public consultation running until early March. The new plan sets out the vision and planning policies that will shape strategic development in the city and provides a framework for the development of local plans across the capital. Although still at draft stage, the new plan provides clear pointers as to the strategy and priorities that will influence future development in the capital. 

This article considers the implications of some of the policies within the sustainable infrastructure chapter of the draft plan, particularly those that affect energy use and pollution associated with new buildings. The main changes are considered point by point below.

 02 / Overview of the draft London Plan

At first glance the energy policies proposed in the draft new London Plan are an evolution of those currently in force. There is still a focus on “be lean, be clean, be green” and a requirement for development to show a 35% improvement in carbon performance compared with Part L 2013. However, on closer inspection there are big changes in almost all areas of energy policy. If adopted, these are likely to have a big impact on developers’ energy strategies. 

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