Planning Stage

Design and Construction

Completion & Post Completion

London Plan Energy Planning Requirements

Planning applications in London need to be accompanied by an Energy Strategy which details how the development will meet energy and emission targets in line with GLA and local planning policy.

Quote me online

Quick Quote Request

If you would prefer us to call you back today about your quote, please send us a short message using the form below or email enquiries@focus360energy.co.uk

Save up to 50% compared to architects

Services available nationwide. Fast-Track available.

Approved accredited assessors

Client Portal System - manage your job on the go

Why do you need a London Plan?

The Greater London Authority’s new London Plan was released in December 2017 and changes have been submitted in almost all areas of energy policy. As with the current London Plan, the new plan will a big impact on the energy strategies for new buildings. The main focus is still to “be lean, be clean, be green”. However the Mayor has now taken it much further, with new energy requirements, minimum levels and approaches for all domestic developments within London becoming much stricter.

On larger developments, the London Plan Energy Strategy will need to show how a zero carbon standard will be achieved through a mix of renewable technologies, heating networks, fabric improvements and carbon offset payments. Planners need to consider how the building design can reduce the need for cooling systems, calculate the embodied energy of the materials used, examine risks of summer overheating and show how the development may impact local air quality.

On top of this, the GLA has adopted a newer calculation method (known as SAP10 emissions), which steers developers away from gas boiler solutions in favour of the latest heat pump technology. Smaller developments may not have to commit to the same level of sustainable construction, but requirements are still tough to achieve with a 35% emissions improvement over standard Building Regulations.

Important points to remember:

In place now!
As of March 2nd, 2021, The London Plan has been officially adopted.

Projects affected by the plan:
Projects such as the development of more than 150 residential units or buildings over 30m in height and commercial buildings over 2500 m2 are obligated to follow this plan.

Whole Life Carbon (WLC)
To help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, policy S12 calls for WLC assessments.

Circular Economy Statement
Must be included with all referable proposals under Policy S17 which seeks to reduce waste and support a circular economy.

Download Example Checklist

London Plan Energy Planning Requirements:

Frequently combined with the following additional services:

BREEAM Assessment

Sustainability Statement

SBEM Calculation - (New Build - Non-Domestic)

Whole Lifecycle Carbon Assessment

SAP Calculation - New Build

Circular Economy Statement

Air Quality Assessment For Development

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

If you need assistance ...

Hi, I'm Will, the Customer Relationship Manager, and I oversee every aspect of your customer journey. If you need any further assistance, please get in touch.

Get your online quote

Get a London Plan Quote

Ready to get started? Contact Focus 360 Energy today for a comprehensive London Plan quote. Our online system makes it easy to schedule an assessment, and our team of assessors will guide you through the process.

Get a Quote

Download our New Build & Conversion Services Guide

We've created a user-friendly guide covering the various services you'll need at each stage of your project

Download Guide

How can Focus 360 Energy help you meet the requirements of London Plan Policy SI 2?

Pre-application stage

The pre-application stage is the first step in the development of a new building or development in London. It is the time to establish the viability of the project. This typically involves presenting a planning application to the local planning authority, and ensuring that the project adheres to local and national planning rules.

The developer will identify the potential need for any additional documents which may be required (for example, environmental impact assessments) and ascertain the opinion of local residents and other stakeholders to ensure their project meets their expectations.

Planning Submission stage

The Planning Submission stage of the London Plan is a critical step in the development of London’s spatial planning framework.

This is where developers submit their proposals for development projects to the Mayor’s Office for review. Focus 360 Energy can help developers navigate this stage by providing a thorough understanding of the planning process, local regulations, and the requirements of a successful planning submission.

Post-construction stage

The Post-construction stage of the London Plan is an important component in ensuring the city sustains its energy efficiency goals. The plan has a number of objectives and tasks in this stage that require attention in order to ensure a successful transition.

These objectives include ensuring buildings are performing to their expected energy efficiency standards, capturing renewable energy sources, making sure new developments keep up with the latest standards, and working on the retrofitting of certain building that have exceeded their intended energy efficiency.

Energy Statements for the London Plan

It’s essential to keep reducing our carbon footprint, and that starts right at the design phase. To illustrate this, we adhere to a set of steps which enable us to make a real difference: from assessing materials through to understanding how our products interact with the environment. Together, this helps us create an eco-friendly future for all!

Keeping your emissions in check is a crucial part of meeting the Building Regulations. To ensure success, we suggest our ‘fabric first’ approach to reducing your carbon footprint.

This involves bigger insulation, air tightness and thermal bridging measures that will help you achieve this goal.

Heating and cooling equipment should also be carefully chosen to best reduce energy demand – making sure you assess any connection to heat networks or CHP plants too.

Don’t forget on-site renewable energy generation which could play an important role in this process! With informed expertise and friendly advice throughout the journey, we’ll make sure you have all the information needed for a sustainable future.

Our Complete Solution

Focus 360 Energy can help ensure you have everything you need to meet compliance on your development with a “one stop shop” approach having multiple services available that cover Overheating Analysis, Whole Life Cycle, Circular Economy, occupational energy and on-site air and acoustic testing.

Having to use SAP10emissions on major schemes makes it more complex. The team at Focus 360 Energy is aware these results can be very different from regular SAP and SBEM calculations, and can explain what this means for your development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the London Plan, and why is it important for my project?

The London Plan is a strategic plan that shapes how London evolves and develops. It sets a framework for sustainable development in the city, including policies on housing, transport, the environment, and economic development. It’s crucial for your project because it ensures that your development meets the city’s energy and emission targets, as well as local planning policies.

How does the London Plan affect planning applications in London?

All planning applications in London need to be accompanied by an Energy Strategy, detailing how the development will meet energy and emission targets in line with the London Plan and local planning policies. This strategy is a key part of the planning process and is essential for gaining approval for your project.

What are the key requirements for meeting the London Plan's energy standards?

The London Plan sets out stringent energy standards for new buildings, including requirements for zero carbon standards, renewable technologies, heating networks, fabric improvements, and carbon offset payments. Developers must also consider how their building design can reduce the need for cooling systems and calculate the embodied energy of materials used.

How can Focus 360 Energy help me meet the requirements of the London Plan?

Focus 360 Energy offers comprehensive services to help developers meet the requirements of the London Plan at every stage of their project. From the pre-application stage, where we can help establish the viability of your project, to the planning submission stage, where we can provide guidance on the planning process and local regulations, to the post-construction stage, where we can ensure your building is performing to its expected energy efficiency standards.

What is the Circular Economy Statement, and why is it important for London Plan compliance?

The Circular Economy Statement is a requirement under Policy S17 of the London Plan, which seeks to reduce waste and support a circular economy. It must be included with all referable proposals and demonstrate your commitment to sustainable construction practices. Focus 360 Energy can help you create a Circular Economy Statement that meets the requirements of the London Plan and ensures your project complies with its sustainability goals.

View our Case Studies

Learn more