Energy Performance Improvements in Existing Buildings

replacement. Policy NZ.4 Energy Performance Improvements in Existing Buildings In light of the urgent need for improvement to existing buildings’ energy and carbon performance in order to meet local climate commitments and national legislated carbon goals, the following expectations are set where permission is needed for proposals for conversions, extensions and change of use of existing buildings. 1. Proposals for works to existing buildings should demonstrate that opportunities to improve energy efficiency and operational carbon emissions have been considered in design decision-making. The level of detail expected will be proportional to the scale of the proposal. 2. . The level of detail expected will be proportional to the scale of the proposal. 3. Development proposals relating to existing buildings that would result in significant improvement to the carbon and/or energy performance of the building will be supported, with weight afforded in their favour in proportion to the carbon reduction benefit they bring. To demonstrate this: a. Major proposals relating to existing buildings (10+ dwellings or 1,000+m2 floor space) should use the applicable Building Regulations calculation method (SAP , HEM, or SBEM) to report on: i. Dwellings: % improvements on the Dwelling Emission Rate (DER), Dwelling Primary Energy Rate (DPER), and Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE). ii. Non-residential buildings: % improvements on Building Emission Rate (BER) and Building Primary Energy Rate (BPER). b. Improvements to Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and space heat demand, using an accurate energy use prediction methodology, will also be an optional relevant disclosure that is encouraged in applications. c. Where the proposal commits to achieving either EnerPHit certification, or the applicable retrofit targets expressed in the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard for the relevant year of completing the works, this will be recognised as an outstanding effort towards climate change mitigation, and material weight will be afforded in favour. If the planning decision hinges on this benefit, a condition will be applied accordingly. d. will be afforded in favour. If the planning decision hinges on this benefit, a condition will be applied accordingly. e. Major proposals relating to existing residential buildings are encouraged to follow the latest PAS2035 guidance. Where this is demonstrated, this will be recognised as a benefit of the scheme. 4. Major proposals relating to existing buildings (threshold as above), where planning permission is required for changes that relate to the heating system, should demonstrate that the feasibility of low- or zero-carbon heating systems have been explored prior to any replacement of existing gas or other fossil fuel heating systems. Policy Justification 6.1.19 Please note that SAP , SBEM and HEM refer to the Building Regulations Part L compliance calculation methodologies. Any energy assessor will be familiar with these terms, but for ease: • SAP stands for Standard Assessment Procedure. This is the calculation currently used for demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations Part L for dwellings. • SBEM stands for Simplified Buildings Energy Model. This is the calculation currently used for demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations Part L for buildings other than dwellings. • HEM stands for Home Energy Model. This is a new national calculation that national Government has announced will eventually replace SAP for demonstration of compliance with Building Regulations Part L Future Homes Standard, after an approximately two-year transition period when both SAP and HEM will be in use for Building Regulations compliance after the Future Homes Standard comes into force. • Regulations compliance after the Future Homes Standard comes into force. 6.1.20 As noted in the supporting climate evidence base, there is an urgent need for existing buildings to undergo a rapid uptake of energy efficiency improvements and rollout of low carbon heating to replace gas and other fossil fuel heating. However, the local plan cannot force existing building owners to make these changes and can only exert influence to encourage these changes where a change to an existing building requires permission. 6.1.21 Many energy retrofit works to existing buildings do not require planning permission. Where permission is needed, there is often a perception of high barriers and uncertainty about the relative weight that will be placed on the benefits of the proposed climate change mitigation compared to other impacts. This policy therefore seeks to expressly clarify for applicants and officers that such benefits should be quantified (using specific metrics) and given weight in the decision, in proportion to those benefits. The policy is designed to help reveal the significance of those benefits by requesting specific metrics against which performance improvement can or should be reported and referencing specific industry best p