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ID sylw: 106968

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Bellway Homes

Asiant : Savills

Bellway supports the transition to delivering Net Zero development, however has concerns over elements of the policy as currently drafted which go against national Government guidance, have design implications which have not been thought through, and will have viability issues not yet considered.
The WMS states, ‘the Government does not expect plan-makers to set local energy efficiency standards for buildings that go beyond current or planned buildings regulations. Any planning policies that propose local energy efficiency standards for buildings that go beyond current or planned buildings regulation should be rejected at examination if they do not have a well-reasoned and robustly costed rationale.’ In this context it is considered that as proposed Policy contradicts the Government’s WMS and as such the space heating, total energy use and energy performance requirements should be removed or reconsidered to align with the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standard Consultation and WMS which describes Net Zero Ready development.
It is recommended that the Policy only considers requirements which relate to regulated emissions only in line with the principles set out in the 2023 WMS and the recent examination and modifications to the Bristol Local Plan Review.
We support the provision of Solar PV to provide onsite energy generation, however, this expectation is not likely to be feasible across a development with a mix of housing including flats, bungalows and homes.
It is recommended that the Plan considers the approach and Policies set out in the Warwick District Council Net Zero DPD which requires development to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation. This provides a route to achieving Net Zero this which aligns with the Governments 2025 FHS and FBS, and 2023 Written Ministerial Statement on setting requirements which exceed the requirements of the Building Regulations.