London Plan: Polices that Impact on Sustainable Building Design
London Plan | Energy, carbon and planning success
The London Plan sets the route to net zero‑carbon for major developments. This guide explains what design teams must do to comply with Policy SI 2, integrate heat networks under SI 3, manage overheating under SI 4, and deliver Whole Life‑Cycle Carbon and Circular Economy statements that pass GLA scrutiny. It also shows how KJ Tait streamlines pre‑app to decision with the right evidence at the right time.
Major developments must be net zero‑carbon in operation by following the energy hierarchy and demonstrating a minimum on‑site reduction of at least 35 percent beyond Part L 2021. Any shortfall is paid into the borough carbon offset fund. Residential schemes are commonly expected to exceed the minimum through fabric‑first design, efficient services and on‑site renewables.
Tip Submit the GLA Carbon Emissions Reporting Spreadsheet with your Energy Strategy and budget the borough’s carbon offset price early to avoid surprises at committee.
Useful guidance GLA Energy Planning Guidance ·
Energy Assessment Guidance (June 2022)
The energy hierarchy must drive decisions from RIBA Stage 1. Reduce demand first, then optimise systems, add renewables, and plan post‑occupancy monitoring and reporting.
For planning, include a concise Energy Strategy, EUI and space‑heating‑demand reporting, the GLA spreadsheet, and a metering plan that enables ‘Be Seen’ reporting at as‑built and in‑use stages. See
‘Be Seen’ energy monitoring guidance.
Assess connection to existing or planned heat networks, particularly in Heat Network Priority Areas. Where connection is not feasible, design systems that are low‑carbon today and future‑proofed for connection tomorrow. Align return temperatures, diversity, metering and controls with the London Heat Network Manual.
Reference London Heat Network Manual II
Follow the cooling hierarchy to avoid reliance on active cooling. Provide dynamic thermal modelling against CIBSE criteria, optimise glazing, shading and ventilation, and use urban greening to mitigate urban heat island effects.
Reference Policy SI 4 Managing heat risk
Submit the GLA WLC template at pre‑app, planning and post‑construction. Pair it with a Circular Economy Statement that demonstrates material retention, design for adaptability and disassembly, and >95 percent diversion of construction and demolition waste from landfill.
References Whole Life‑Cycle Carbon guidance ·
Circular Economy Statement guidance
Explore our related services Energy strategy for planning ·
Whole life‑cycle carbon ·
Circular economy ·
Overheating and climate resilience
Ready to discuss a live scheme or pre‑app route to consent talk to one of our sustainability experts.
At least 35 percent beyond Part L 2021 for major developments, with residual emissions offset via the borough fund. Many residential schemes are expected to exceed this through fabric‑first measures, efficient services and on‑site renewables.
You must assess connection feasibility where networks exist or are planned. If connection is not viable, the design should be future‑proofed for a low‑carbon network and comply with performance factors set out in the Energy Assessment Guidance.
You must submit performance estimates at planning, then provide as‑built and five years of in‑use energy reporting through the GLA process. Plan metering, data points and ownership early to avoid conditions risk.
They are two halves of the same planning test. The Circular Economy Statement sets the strategy to retain existing structure where appropriate, minimise new materials, and design for adaptability and disassembly. The Whole Life‑Cycle Carbon (WLC) assessment then quantifies the carbon effect of those choices across the full life cycle (A1–A5, B1–B7, C1–C4 and D).