Review of plans, policies and

ENERGY AND NEW DEVELOPMENT

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  Plans and strategies must actively facilitate reductions in energy requirements and improvements in energy efficiency by incorporating robust policies which promote the implementation of energy conservation measures in new buildings (RSS, Policy EM16).
  
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  Local planning authorities should consider the opportunity for incorporating renewable energy projects in all new developments, as such should be addressed in local development documents (PPS22, para 18) (North West Energy Strategy, pg 19).
  
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  It is critical to adapt to and as far as possible reduce the effects of climate change; including planning for the efficient use of energy and by developing renewable energy sources (RSS para 2.16)
  
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  Development plans should ensure that development minimises energy use through careful and imaginative location, design and construction techniques (North West Energy Strategy, pg 16).
  
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  Local authorities should, within their development plans, set energy requirements for new developments over a specified size to be met by renewable sources, at least in line with relevant policies in the Regional Spatial Strategy (North West Energy Strategy, pg 18).
  
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  Local planning authorities may include policies in local development documents that require a percentage of the energy to be used in new residential, commercial or industrial developments to come from on-site renewable energy developments (PPS22, para 8).
  
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  Planning policies prepared by LPAs should encourage developers to consider a range of renewable energy technologies on their sites (but should not specify which technologies to use on named sites – this would be too prescriptive) (Planning for Renewable Energy: A Companion Guide to PPS22, para 4.14). Ensure a significant proportion of the energy supply of substantial new development is gained on-site and renewably and/or from a decentralised, renewable or low-carbon energy supply (PPS: Planning and Climate Change para 22)
  
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  All new non-residential developments above a threshold of 1000m2 and all residential developments comprising 10 or more units, are expected to incorporate renewable energy production to provide, at least 10% of a developments predicted final energy requirements (North West Energy Strategy, pg 20).
  
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  Development proposals for more than 100 dwellings or 5,000 square metres of floorspace will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that full consideration has been given to the use of realistic renewable energy options, and such measures have been incorporated into the development where practicable (UDP, Policy EN22).
  
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  When identifying broad locations and sites for housing developments in LDDs planning authorities should focus new developments in areas where it is possible to draw energy supplies from decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable and low carbon forms of energy supply, or where there is clear potential for this to be realised (PPS3, para 38).
  
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  The Government believes that public consultation on proposals for major infrastructure projects and early engagement with key parties such as local authorities…is extremely important (Energy White Paper, para 8.59)
  
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  In advance of local targets being set, new non residential developments above a threshold of 1,000sqm and all residential developments comprising 10 or more units should secure at least 10% of their predicted energy requirements from decentralised and renewable or low carbon sources, unless it can be demonstrated by the applicant, having regard to the type of development involved and its design, that this is not feasible or viable (RSS Policy EM18)