Energy efficiency and natural resources

SP11 – Energy efficiency and natural resources This strategic policy is supporting Local Plan objectives 1, 2 and 6. SP11 Energy efficiency and natural resources 1. Low-carbon development will be supported and encouraged, and significant weight will be given to its benefits. All development proposals will be supported where they achieve efficient use of natural resources, including: a) minimising energy use through sustainable design and construction b) improving water efficiency c) minimising, re-using and recycling waste, including construction waste. 2. Applicants must have regard to the following energy hierarchy: a) reduce energy demand through design and fabric efficiency. b) supply energy efficiently, prioritising decentralised energy and district heating systems. c) utilise renewable and low-carbon energy sources. 3. Decentralised Energy Systems Where feasible and viable development proposals should assess the feasibility of decentralised energy systems, including district heating and cooling (such as Combined Heat and Power or other low-carbon technologies), where they meet the following thresholds: a) residential development of 100+ dwellings b) residential development of 50+ dwellings in off-gas areas c) non-residential development of 1,000 sqm or more Where feasible, viable and appropriate, proposals should incorporate low-carbon heating systems and on-site renewable electricity generation, in accordance with the most up to date building regulations and the Future Homes Standard (due to be implemented from March 2027). 4. Retrofitting of existing buildings Development proposals involving the adaptation of existing buildings should incorporate energy efficiency improvements and renewable or low-carbon technologies where feasible. Mitigation measures will be secured where necessary. Proposals that enable community participation or ownership will be supported. 5. Spatial Strategy for wind, solar and battery storage Opportunity areas for solar, wind and battery storage development are identified on the Policies Map. Within these Opportunity Areas, proposals will be supported in principle, subject to compliance with the criteria below: All proposals for wind, solar and battery storage development must: a) promote the efficient use of land, directing large scale solar development towards previous developed or non-agricultural sites include details of site restoration, decommissioning and aftercare. b) avoid unacceptable cumulative impacts with existing or permitted energy development. c) demonstrate that there are no significant adverse impacts on landscape character, biodiversity or heritage assets. d) ensure there is no unacceptable impact on residential amenity, including from noise, emissions or visual effects. e) ensure safe access and no unacceptable impacts on highway safety. 6. Other renewables Proposals for other renewable energy generation and associated infrastructure will be permitted where: a) there are no significant adverse effects on landscape character, biodiversity or heritage assets. b) development of the best and most versatile agricultural land, will be permitted where it is demonstrated that the benefits of the development outweigh the harm. c) there is no unacceptable impact on residential amenity, including from noise, emissions or visual effects. d) there is no adverse impact on highway safety; and e) appropriate provision is made for site restoration and aftercare, where applicable. 5.143 The Council published a Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy in 2021 with the purpose to achieve national air quality objectives and zero carbon ambitions. Policy SP11 encourages the development of renewable and low carbon energy generation and seeks to support the health and resilience of communities. The policy will ensure low carbon development is delivered to aid the transition to net zero. 5.144 The Future Homes Standard (FHS) will come into force from March 2027, alongside the Future Buildings Standard (FBS) for non-residential development. Together, these will significantly tighten Building Regulations to ensure new buildings are highly energy efficient and low-carbon in operation. For new residential development, the FHS will require homes to produce around 75–80% fewer carbon emissions compared to current standards. For non-residential buildings, the FBS will introduce similar principles, mandating improved energy performance, electrification of heating, and reduced operational emissions. Policy SP11 does not go beyond the building regulations. 5.145 Based on analysis as part of the Renewable Energy report and the Landscape Sensitivity Study for Renewable Energy Developments, commercial-scale wind, solar and battery storage development provide the greatest potential for large-scale contributions to renewable energy generation in Buckinghamshire. Small-scale renewable and low-carbon energy proposals such as, but not limited to, microgrids and community energy networks are anticipated to play a significant role as well. However, the principle for proposals such as these will be established by Policy SP11. To facilitate the delivery of such schemes, the council has identified opportunity Areas for wind and solar and battery storage development. These areas are based on an analysis of the suitability of land within the council area outside the National Landscape, considering: a) Land in highest flood risk b) Designated sites (e.g. SSSIs) that are important for the natural habitat they provide. c) Best and most versatile agricultural land d) Ancient woodlands and all wooded areas e) Priority habitats f) Scheduled monuments g) Ministry of Defence installations h) Public green spaces i) Urban/built-up areas j) Inland waters 5.146 With respect to wind turbines specifically, we have excluded areas within buffer zones around existing residential dwellings due to the amenity impacts of wind turbines. The minimum power output considered viable to enable commercial solar developments to come forward is usually 5MW, due to schemes above this size qualifying for the Contracts for Difference scheme. Standalone wind turbines typically have a power rating of around 3MW (based on a typical Vestas turbine). However, this policy will apply to any standalone (i.e. not ancillary to another use on site) wind or solar development within the areas specified. 5.147 Wind development proposals will be supported by good levels of community engagement and provide suitable benefits for local people, in line with national guidance on community engagement and benefits from onshore wind developments. This approach should also be taken to solar battery storage development, which has similar effects on community wellbeing. Details regarding these matters shall need to be addressed in a Statement of Community Involvement submitted as part of a planning application. Within schemes for EIA development, community wellbeing should be scoped into the Environmental Statement. 5.148 The Council will monitor reductions in carbon emissions and climate resilience outcomes through the monitoring framework.