Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 5 Energy Infrastructure (Strategic Policy)

A. All development proposals should prepare an Energy Strategy in accordance with the Mayor’s Energy Planning Guidance. All developments should maximise opportunities for on-site electricity and heat production from renewable energy sources. This approach will help reduce carbon emissions, reduce energy costs to occupants, reduce fuel poverty and improve the borough’s energy resilience.

B. New development will be expected to connect to any existing decentralised energy network (DEN). Where networks do not exist, developments should make provision to connect to any future network that may be developed, having regard to the possibility for this to come forward.

C. Major residential development of 10 or more dwellings (including changes of use, conversions and major refurbishments), and non-residential development of 500sqm (including changes of use, conversions and refurbishments) or more will need:

  1. to connect to, and where appropriate extend, existing DENs in the vicinity of the site, unless a robust and credible feasibility assessment demonstrates that connection is not reasonably possible;
  2. where a connection is not feasible, provide an assessment of the provision of on-site DEN; there is an expectation that on-site – even if in the form of microgeneration such as solar technologies – are feasible; provision should also be made for future connection to a wider DEN network should one become available;
  3. where a connection or provision of new DEN is not immediately available, ensure the development is designed in accordance with the Heating Hierarchy set out in London Plan Policies SI 3 (D) and S1 4 (B).

D. Any new DENs should prioritise non-combustible, non-fossil fuel energy as the primary heat source. Given that the carbon savings from gas engine combined heat and power (CHP) systems are declining due to the decarbonisation of the national electricity grid, and increasing evidence of adverse air quality impacts, developers will be required to use low and zero carbon heat sources and existing heat networks will need to be decarbonised. This is to ensure there is no increase in the amount of NOx emitted in the borough (see Policy 53 ‘Local Environmental Impacts’, Part D Air Quality).

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan