SAP/SBEM and Planning Applications
I get asked to provide SAP and SBEM calculations to support Planning Applications for local authorities around the country. Where we’re based it’s on the border between Bath & North East Somerset and Wiltshire, with Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Hampshire and South Somerset all not that far away. Ive provided calcs for all of the above which is generally the easiest part. The tricky part comes in when providing figures to show compliance that meets each of the local authorities own planning requirements. None of which are the same. BANES will ask for specific heating demand and energy use figures as well as co2 reductions, and a certain percentage requirement for the use of solar PV.
Bristol has a requirement to reduce the co2 emissions at a further 25%, from base, while Nort Somerset ask for a 10% reduction in energy from renewables only. There are many others, the London Plan to be zero carbon by a certain date, and then the outdated ones like Winchester which require meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 (the code was scrapped years ago) and to be a 20% improvement on the 2013 Regs!
All of this is crazy and unnecessary in my view and the local authorities right to inflict their own requirements on planning applications counterproductive. The current Part L Building Regs, if only just achieved, is a 31% improvement on the previous regs for residential , 27% for non-residential. The Regs are there to ensure better homes and buildings are constructed with targets set for primary energy use, fabric energy efficiency, and co2 emission. Part L could be better, as could the methodology, but complying with these and going better in many projects is driving low energy forward.
Where this is sorely lacking is in existing builds. Work on existing builds, either conversions or change of use, or by adding an extension, is still too easy to achieve a pass and must be tightened up. Likewise, improvements to existing properties using the EPC rating is generally good, ie not being able to sell or let a property unless its of a certain standard, although how the EPC is rating is derived could do wit h some improvements as some remedial measures can improve the rating all too easily without in reality making a huge difference to the co2 emissions or energy use.
I think all energy improvement legislation should come from a central Government, ensuring there is the same standard across the whole country, but one that any Government sticks too and doesn’t move the goal posts just because there is an election coming up or proves a bit unpopular. If we are to make a real difference to reducing our energy use, our buildings, and in particular our existing buildings, need to use less energy, lead by a central authority in setting nationwide performance criteria and not to individual local authorities.
