Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan

S4 Minimising greenhouse gas emissions

  • All development proposals are required to demonstrate how greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced in accordance with the energy hierarchy (set out in Policy S1) as part of the SDCS. Major developments, minor new build developments, and larger minor extensions must provide a more detailed energy assessment as part of the SDCS.
  • Until the end of 2021, major residential developments and minor new-build residential developments of one unit or more are required to comply with the interim Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES), as defined by the Zero Carbon Hub. ‘Full’ FEES will apply from the start of 2022 onwards.
  • All major developments and minor new-build residential developments of one unit or more must be net zero carbon. These developments must demonstrate, as part of the SDCS, how the net zero carbon target will be met within the framework of the energy hierarchy.
  • The following on-site reductions in carbon emissions are required in accordance with the energy hierarchy:
    1. Major developments must achieve a minimum on-site reduction in total (regulated and unregulated) emissions of at least 27 per cent beyond Part L of the Building Regulations.
    2. Major developments able to connect to an existing heat network must achieve a minimum on-site reduction in total (regulated and unregulated) emissions of at least 39 per cent beyond Part L of the Building Regulations.
    3. Minor new-build residential developments of one unit or more must achieve a minimum on-site reduction in regulated emissions of at least 19% beyond Part L of the Building Regulations, unless it can be demonstrated that such provision is not feasible.
  • In addition to meeting the minimum on-site reduction targets in Part D, all major development proposals must calculate whole life-cycle carbon emissions through a nationally recognised whole life-cycle carbon assessment and demonstrate actions taken to reduce life-cycle carbon emissions.
  • All developments are required to reduce energy demand through energy efficiency measures in the first instance, in accordance with the energy hierarchy. Major developments are required to achieve the following reductions in demand as part of achieving the overall reduction targets in Part D of this policy:
    1. Major non-residential development must achieve at least 15 per cent out of the overall reduction target through energy efficiency measures in order to reduce energy demand.
    2. Major residential development must achieve at least 10 per cent out of the overall reduction target through energy efficiency measures in order to reduce energy demand.
  • Where it is clearly demonstrated that the zero carbon target cannot be fully achieved on-site, any shortfall must be provided through a cash in lieu contribution to Islington’s carbon offset fund. All major developments and minor new build developments of one unit or more will be required to pay the full cost of offsetting the remaining regulated emissions, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not viable, in which case the maximum viable payment for offsetting will be required based on a viability assessment. Such payments will be secured through a legal agreement.
  • Proposals for householder extensions must contribute to reducing emissions from the whole building as far as possible. The SDCS must demonstrate that cost-effective energy efficiency measures have been applied to the existing property, where practical, in addition to requirements applicable to the extension itself.
  • Major developments must submit a Green Performance Plan (GPP) detailing the actual measurable outputs for the occupied building in relation to energy consumption and carbon emissions, based on the commitments in the SDCS.
  • The SDCS - and where appropriate, GPP - for all major developments must include the following information in order to maximise fabric energy efficiency, reduce the performance gap and provide more accurate information to design teams:
    1. An assessment of predicted future energy use based on PHPP for residential and low energy non-domestic buildings; and CIBSE TM54 for non-domestic buildings (or any equivalent methodology), rather than Part L only assessments. Predicted energy use must be declared in kWh/m2/yr and kWh/yr and this will become one of the GPP indicator targets in the future.
    2. Confirm the actual performance values achieved in comparison to the original energy targets stated in the SDCS, and to submit the associated evidence including site photographs of insulation installation and the construction manager’s declaration. This information must be submitted to the Council prior to occupancy as part of the final GPP.
    3. Carry out an air tightness test and thermographic survey. The test reports, along with details of any remediation measures, must be provided to the Council prior to occupancy as part of the final GPP.

For more information please see the Islington Local Plan