Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan

S5 Energy Infrastructure

  • All major developments are required to have a communal low-temperature heating system. Heating systems must have a maximum annual carbon content of heat of less than 280 gCO2/kWh, calculated using the carbon emissions factor for grid electricity from the most recently available BEIS energy projections (UEPs) for the first 25 years of operation of the building. The heat source for the communal heating system must be selected in accordance with the following heating hierarchy:
    1. connect to local existing or planned heat networks (subject to parts F and G below).
    2. use zero-emission or local secondary heat sources (in conjunction with heat pump, if required).
    3. use low-emission CHP (only where there is a case for CHP to enable the delivery of an area-wide heat network).
    4. use ultra-low NOx gas boilers.
  • CHP and ultra-low NOx gas boiler communal or heat network systems (numbers 3 and 4 in the heating hierarchy set out in Part A) must be designed to ensure that they meet the requirements of Policy S7.
  • Larger minor new-build developments should have a communal heating system where feasible and select the heat source for the system in accordance with the heating hierarchy in Part A of this Policy.
  • Minor new-build developments with an individual heating system are required to prioritise low carbon heating systems.
  • As part of the SDCS, all major developments must demonstrate that they have assessed the feasibility of heat network connection (including a Shared Heat Network) or other appropriate heat sources, in accordance with the heating hierarchy, in order to ensure low and zero carbon heating options are prioritised. Larger minor developments that are able to connect to a heat network under Part G must assess the feasibility of connection as part of the SDCS.
  • All major residential developments and larger minor new-build residential developments are required to provide an estimate of the anticipated heat unit supply price (£/kWh), annual standing charge and estimated annual maintenance costs of their proposed heating system within the SDCS. Major applications must provide estimates of the life cycle costs of the proposed heating system using CIBSE quoted plant lifetimes.
  • Major developments located within 500 metres of an existing heat network, and larger minor new-build developments located within 50 metres, must be designed to connect to that network at the time of construction, including provision of the means to connect to that network and a reasonable financial contribution to the connection charge, unless a feasibility assessment demonstrates that connection is not reasonably possible. An existing heat network includes a planned network that will be in existence by the anticipated time of practical completion.
  • Major developments located within 500 metres of a planned future heat network, which is considered by the Council likely to be operational within 3 years of a grant of planning permission must be designed to be able to connect to that network in the future. Developers are required to commit to connection and contribute to the cost of connection via a legal agreement, unless a feasibility assessment demonstrates that connection is not reasonably possible.
  • Where connection to an existing or future heat network is not possible, major developments must develop and/or connect to a low or zero carbon Shared Heating Network (SHN) linking neighbouring developments and/or existing buildings, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not reasonably possible.
  • Where connection to an existing or future heat network is deemed possible under parts G and H above, major developments are required to provide a preferred energy strategy and an alternative energy strategy (as part of the SDCS). The preferred energy strategy should be enacted based on connection to a heat network. In cases where it is not reasonably possible to connect to a heat network the alternative energy strategy should be enacted and the heat source will be selected in accordance with the heating hierarchy. Minor developments that are able to connect to a heat network are required to provide details of the connection as part of the SDCS.
  • The Council will support the development of heat networks and energy centres in principle, subject to meeting wider policy requirements, including on design and air quality.
  • The SDCS should set out a strategy for how the development will be future-proofed to achieve zero carbon emissions on-site by 2050. Where the development is able to connect to a heat network, the SDCS must demonstrate how the heat network will be future-proofed to achieve zero carbon and the timeline for achieving this.

For more information please see the Islington Local Plan