The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section opens the plan's chapter on a climate resilient and net zero Warwickshire. It explains that the Local Plan has a legal duty and a decisive role in tackling climate change by shaping places that support the transition to net zero carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. It then introduces Policy NZ.1, which requires new homes, where viable, to achieve net zero operational energy use through strict energy limits, on-site renewable electricity and no connection to the gas grid.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
Warwickshire
6.1 Achieving Climate Resilient and Net Zero
Policies within this section contribute to achieving the following Strategic
Objectives:
SO1. Providing infrastructure in the right place at the right time
SO5. Contributing towards Net Zero Carbon targets
6.1.1 The Local Plan has a legal duty and decisive role in tackling climate change
across South Warwickshire though helping to shape places that support the transition
to net zero carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to the impacts of
climate change, thereby improving resilience.
Policy NZ.1
Operational Net Zero in New Residential Buildings
Where viable new-build residential development of 1 or more homes shall make the
fullest possible contribution towards mitigating climate change (reducing carbon
emissions) by meeting all of the following steps.
a. The new-build residential development shall be designed to achieve net zero,
or where possible net negative, operational energy use, through meeting all of
the following energy performance requirements:
i. ≤ 20 kWh/m2/year space heat demand.
ii. ≤ 35 kWh/m2/year total energy use intensity (EUI). On developments of
multiple buildings, it will be acceptable for this to be met as a site-wide
average, provided that no individual home exceeds 60kWh/m2/year.)
iii. Onsite renewable electricity generation capacity kWp equal to (ground
floor area x 60% / 4.5).
1. Or, if the kWp target is unfeasible, then provide renewable electricity
generation kWh equal to the home’s annual total energy use.
2. It is acceptable for the renewable target to be met on a site-wide
basis, including in mixed-use (see policy NZ.2 for non-residential).
iv. The development shall not be connected to the gas grid. Buildings shall
not use fossil fuel other than safety-critical backup power systems.
b. To minimise the energy performance gap between design and use:
i. Compliance with the above targets at application stage shall be
demonstrated using an accurate energy prediction method.
ii. On completion: Major schemes should update the calculations to reflect
the building’s actual construction. Minor schemes should reconfirm the
specifications to which they have been built.