Policy information sourced from Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

LP 22 Sustainable Design and Construction

  • Developments will be required to achieve the highest standards of sustainable design and construction to mitigate the likely effects of climate change. Applicants will be required to complete the following:
  • Development of 1 dwelling unit or more, or 100sqm or more of non-residential floor space (including extensions) will be required to complete the Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD. A completed Checklist has to be submitted as part of the planning application.
  • Development that results in a new residential dwelling, including conversions, change of use, and extensions that result in a new dwelling unit, will be required to incorporate water conservation measures to achieve maximum water consumption of 110 litres per person per day for homes (including an allowance of 5 litres or less per person per day for external water consumption).
  • New non-residential buildings over 100sqm will be required to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.
  • Proposals for change of use to residential will be required to meet BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment ‘Excellent’ standard (where feasible).

Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

  • Developers are required to incorporate measures to improve energy conservation and efficiency as well as contributions to renewable and low carbon energy generation. Proposed developments are required to meet the following minimum reductions in carbon dioxide emissions:
    • All new major residential developments (10 units or more) should achieve zero carbon standards in line with London Plan policy.
    • All other new residential buildings should achieve a 35% reduction.
    • All non-residential buildings over 100sqm should achieve a 35% reduction. From 2019 all major non-residential buildings should achieve zero carbon standards in line with London Plan policy.

Targets are expressed as a percentage improvement over the target emission rate (TER) based on Part L of the 2013 Building Regulations.

  • This should be achieved by following the Energy Hierarchy:
    • Be lean: use less energy
    • Be clean: supply energy efficiently
    • Be green: use renewable energy

Decentralised Energy Networks

  • The Council requires developments to contribute towards the Mayor of London target of 25% of heat and power to be generated through localised decentralised energy (DE) systems by 2025. The following will be required:
    • All new development will be required to connect to existing DE networks where feasible. This also applies where a DE network is planned and expected to be operational within 5 years of the development being completed.
    • Development proposals of 50 units or more, or new non-residential development of 1000sqm or more, will need to provide an assessment of the provision of on-site decentralised energy (DE) networks and combined heat and power (CHP).
    • Where feasible, new development of 50 units or more, or new non-residential development of 1000sqm or more, as well as schemes for the Proposal Sites identified in this Plan, will need to provide on-site DE and CHP; this is particularly necessary within the clusters identified for DE opportunities in the borough-wide Heat Mapping Study. Where on-site provision is not feasible, provision should be made for future connection to a local DE network should one become available.

Applicants are required to consider the installation of low, or preferably ultra-low, NOx boilers to reduce the amount of NOx emitted in the borough.

Local opportunities to contribute towards decentralised energy supply from renewable and low-carbon technologies will be encouraged where appropriate.

Retrofitting

  • High standards of energy and water efficiency in existing developments will be supported wherever possible through retrofitting. Householder extensions and other development proposals that do not meet the thresholds set out in this policy are encouraged to complete and submit the Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD as far as possible, and opportunities for micro-generation of renewable energy will be supported in line with other policies in this Plan.

For more information please see the Local Plan