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If you thought carbon-cutting requirements were already a challenge, be prepared for them to get even tougher. The Planning Policy Statement on climate change (PPS1) is due to be published before the end of the year and the government has promised that “… councils will be required to deliver more ambitious carbon-saving measures and set tougher targets for new developments, as we move to a zero-carbon culture”.

There is likely to be greater pressure for new developments to provide a coherent response to issues related to climate change, such as flood risk, biodiversity and sustainable transport, to mitigate the effects of global climate change as well as deal with its likely consequences.

Engineers are used to meeting rapidly evolving building regulations but they may not be so well attuned to the twists and turns of planning obligations. However, it is more important than ever to be aware of the tighter rules being set so that they can best advise clients how to obtain planning approval.

Where national policy leads, local authorities are likely to follow. Many councils are already revising plans and policies to include sustainability objectives. Among the changes are engineering-related targets for issues such as water use, refrigerants and thermal comfort. A lot of authorities have followed Merton council’s lead by including renewable energy targets of 10% or more.

The national policies are also incorporated into regional plans. For example, the draft North West Plan requires that “all proposals and schemes for new non-residential developments above a threshold of 1000m2, and all residential developments comprising 10 or more units, should incorporate renewable energy production to provide at least 10% of the development’s predicted energy requirements”.

Local authorities are treading a similar path and most now have, at least, a draft document that includes sustainable construction policies and a renewable energy target. For example, Reading council’s core strategy includes the requirements:

• Larger developments of more than 10 dwellings or 1000m2 of floorspace mustensure that 50% of the provision meets the most up-to-date Ecohomes and BREEAM Excellent standards.
• All new developments must maximise the use of energy efficiency and energy conservation measures in their design, layout and orientation to reduce overall energy demand.
• All developments of more than 10 dwellings or 1000m2 floorspace need to incorporate on-site generation of energy from renewable sources and energy efficient design measures (including the use of CHP where appropriate) to offset at least 20% of predicted carbon dioxide emissions from the estimated energy usage of the completed and occupied development.
• All developments must reduce mains water use and, as part of the BRE Ecohomes assessment, demonstrate that water conservation measures are incorporated so that predicted per capita consumption does not exceed 125 litres a day.

London leads

The GLA is different from other regional planning authorities as it has the power to refuse planning applications for strategic projects. Its regional counterparts can only influence local authority decisions indirectly through their policies.

Any project in London considered strategic can be referred to the GLA by the borough planners. Engineers should ensure that they are fully aware of the weight that draft planning documents carry. For instance, the 20% renewables target in the proposed alterations to the London Plan has already been imposed by the GLA on some recent projects, even though the proposals will not be finalised until next year.

What should engineers do?

The local policies must first be confirmed by talking to planning consultants or architects or by checking local authority websites. It is worth searching for a draft core strategy document and any supplementary planning documents.

Energy strategy reports are required by the GLA and many local authorities. These should demonstrate that the project team has considered all possible zero- and low-CO2 technologies. They should also show the building energy demand (based on energy modelling, rather than benchmarks) and energy and CO2 savings that could be made through energy-efficiency measures; efficient supply of energy (such as CHP); and use of renewable energy sources.

There is much to be done but the added workload is an opportunity for engineers to collaborate more closely with clients. By demonstrating in-depth knowledge of national and local planning policies on sustainability, engineers can offer extra value to clients to achieve the all-important planning approval. 

Dave Cheshire is with Faber Maunsell’s Sustainable Development Group.