Oxford planning, how to comply: Sustainability
Oxford planning is defined by the Local Plan 2036 and accompanying Technical Advice Notes. The Local Plan 2035, adopted on June 8, 2020, emphasises sustainable design and construction for all developments in the city.
Oxford's planning policies also focus on heritage and conservation in non-domestic refurbishments, particularly for listed buildings. The Council offers guidance, including the Heritage Energy Efficiency Toolkit (HEET). This approach aims to ensure a more sustainable urban environment by maximising the potential of existing non-domestic buildings through innovative and thoughtful refurbishment practices.
The Oxford planning strategy emphasises the importance of integrating sustainable energy solutions, such as district heating. The City Council encourages the development of city-wide heat networks to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Developers are required to assess the availability of existing heat networks when planning new projects. If a heat network is located nearby, the Council expects the development to connect to it. If connecting to a district heating network is not feasible, developers must provide substantial evidence to justify this decision.
TAN 14 outlines essential sustainability requirements for non-domestic refurbishment projects, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
Policy RE1 mandates that all non-domestic developments, including refurbishments, must incorporate sustainable design principles. Key requirements include:
BREEAM Assessment: Non-domestic refurbishment projects must achieve a minimum standard of four credits for water efficiency.
Carbon Emission Reduction: There is a carbon emissions reduction target of 40% from Part L Building Regulations required. While refurbishment projects are not obligated to meet this standard, they are strongly encouraged to adopt measures that significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Energy Statements: Developers must submit an energy statement outlining how the developments will meet energy efficiency standards and carbon reduction targets, demonstrating compliance with sustainability principles.
Sustainable Materials and Waste Management: The policy encourages the use of recycled and recyclable materials in refurbishment projects. Minimising waste during construction and operation is also criticall, aligning with broader sustainability and resource efficiency goals.
Monitoring: The City Council supports post-construction testing to evaluate the actual energy performance of the refurbished building against its designed specifications. This monitoring process helps verify that the refurbishment meets performance standards and provides insights for future projects.
For assistance with planning submissions that align with Oxford planning sustainability requirements, KJ Tait specialises in ensuring developments meet these standards through our design and modelling expertise.