Policy information sourced from Brentwood Local Plan

BE01: Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy

1) Carbon Reduction and Construction Standards

Development should meet the minimum standards of sustainable construction and carbon reduction as set out below:

  • All major development will be required to achieve at least a 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions above the requirements of Part L Building Regulations; and
  • New Non-residential development will be required to achieve a certified ‘Excellent’ rating under the BREEAM New Construction (Non-Domestic Buildings) 2018 scheme, or other equivalent standards.

The version of BREEAM that a building must be assessed under should be the latest BREEAM scheme and not be based on scheme versions that have been registered under at the pre-planning stages of a project. Other construction standards, such as LEEDs or Passivhaus, will be supported provided that they are broadly at least in line with the standards set out above.

2) Renewable Energy

Wherever possible, application of major development will be required to provide a minimum of 10% of the predicted energy needs of the development from renewable energy. Where on-site provision of renewable technologies is not appropriate, or where it is clearly demonstrated that the above target cannot be fully achieved on-site, any shortfall should be provided through:

  • ‘allowable solutions contributions’ via Section 106 or CIL. These funds will then be used for energy efficiency and energy generation initiatives or other measure(s) required to offset the environmental impact of the development; or
  • off-site provision, provided that an alternative proposal is identified, and the measures can be secured.

3) Application of major development, including proposals involving the redevelopment of existing floor space, should be accompanied by a Sustainability Statement outlining their approach to the following issues:

  • adaptation to climate change;
  • carbon reduction;
  • water management;
  • site waste management;
  • use of materials;

4) Where it is not possible to meet these standards, applicants must demonstrate compelling reasons and provide evidence, as to why achieving the sustainability standards would not be technically feasible or economically viable.

For more information please see the Local Plan