Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy
DM7 Facilitating Zero Carbon Development
Until carbon dioxide emission improvements are introduced through the Building Regulations, all non-residential development will be expected to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ emissions rating. Development which reduces carbon dioxide emissions beyond the national timetable for residential or non-residential development will be promoted.
In the longer term and in order to support and facilitate the highest standards of carbon dioxide emission reductions and zero carbon development, the Borough Council will, in the first instance, seek reductions through carbon compliance which go beyond minimum standards including through the use of imported heat/cooling from existing decentralised sources. Where this is not possible, practical or viable the Borough Council will require development to implement allowable solutions which:
- Contribute to local heat or combined heat and power (CHP) networks, by providing over sized on-site decentralised, renewable or low carbon heat for export to existing development which is also designed to allow future development to connect to it; or
- Contribute, by way of a financial contribution, toward local heat or combined heat and power infrastructure, especially within identified opportunity areas, at a level commensurate to the level of residual carbon dioxide emissions; or
- Make improvement to the carbon dioxide emission performance of the existing built stock through incorporation of energy efficiency measures commensurate to the level of residual carbon dioxide emissions.
Where development comprises a non-residential extension, adaptation or refurbishment under 1,000sqm or a householder extension, the Borough Council will seek improvement in the whole building’s energy performance, subject to a 5% capped cost of the total build cost and a pay-back period no longer than 5 years.
Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy