Policy information sourced from the Dartford Core Strategy

CS 23: Minimising Carbon Emissions

To minimise carbon emissions through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, the Council will:

  • Require all new development to:
    • Demonstrate that reductions in energy use through passive design and layout of development have been explored and applied, where practical
  • Require housing development of 100 units or more to:
    • Achieve at least Code Level 4 (or its equivalent) in the energy category in advance of mandatory requirements
    • Design buildings in a way that enables the potential for zero carbon through the later retro-fitting of zero and low carbon technologies, for example through solar thermal, photovoltaic systems, ground source heat pumps and connection to a CHP plant, where development commences prior to introduction of Code Level 6
  • Require new non-residential development over 1,000 square metres gross floorspace to meet BREEAM ‘excellent’ (or any future national equivalent).
  • Subject to assessment, seek that development on the following sites provides low/zero carbon CHP either on or off-site to supply the development with heat and power:
    • Eastern Quarry (see also Policy CS 5)
    • Ebbsfleet (see also Policy CS 5)
    • Northern Gateway (see also Policy CS 3)
    • Swanscombe Peninsula (see also Policy CS 6)
  • Where the supply is provided in the later phases of development, infrastructure to enable future connection should be provided in the early phases. On these sites, the potential to supply existing buildings or smaller development sites with heat or energy from the CHP plant should be explored. Implementation of further sites and networks for low/zero carbon decentralised energy, as identified through the Kent Thameside Eco –Assessment Study will also be encouraged.
  • Work in partnership to improve the energy efficiency of the existing building stock, as well explore opportunities to retrofit existing buildings with decentralised energy sources as well as water demand management measures, through the identification of funding and implementation of programmes.
  • Work in partnership to establish an enabling body to facilitate a local network generating and distributing decentralised energy, in order to maximise the opportunities for low/zero carbon generation and supply.

For more information please see the Core Strategy