Climate & energy

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section presents the plan's vision for 2050 and its ten strategic objectives. The objectives act as a golden thread running through the plan. They cover timely infrastructure, homes for all communities, jobs and a greener economy, effective use of land, net zero carbon, well-designed places, heritage and culture, health and wellbeing, better connections through walking, cycling and public transport, and protecting environmental assets while working towards environmental net gain.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains sustainable development and the plan's approach of Environmental Net Gain (ENG). Sustainable development means meeting today's needs without compromising future generations. ENG aims to leave the local environment better off than legal biodiversity rules alone require, covering carbon, soils, water, air quality, flood management and green spaces. ENG is an ambition rather than a mandatory requirement, but it is embedded across many policies, marked with a special symbol, and counts as a material consideration when shaping development proposals.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the renewable energy policies. Both Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils have declared climate emergencies. Stratford-on-Avon aims to be carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030 and to cut district-wide emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Warwick District Council has committed to cutting energy use and emissions from its public buildings and council housing. Much of the area's carbon comes from transport, and limited power supply also needs addressing to support economic growth.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects existing large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, including solar farms, wind turbines, battery storage, heat networks, bioenergy plants and green hydrogen production. These assets are safeguarded from development that would harm their operation, safety, maintenance or future adaptability. They can only be lost where they are no longer needed, replaced with equal or greater capacity, or outweighed by overriding public benefits with compensation. Nearby development must show it will not reduce efficiency, for example by overshadowing solar panels or disturbing wind flow to turbines.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section adds further protections for renewable energy infrastructure. Repowering, life extension and co-location of technologies, such as solar with battery storage, are supported where they raise output without unacceptable impacts. Grid connections, substations and cable routes are safeguarded, and maintenance work by network operators is supported in principle. Where infrastructure is no longer viable, a decommissioning and restoration plan is required, prioritising biodiversity, soil recovery and, where appropriate, restoring farmland. Community benefits such as local energy tariffs may also be considered.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets the framework for new large-scale renewable energy generation and storage, covering solar farms, wind, battery storage, bioenergy, hydrogen, heat networks and hydro energy. Proposals must follow national policy, avoid or mitigate significant harm, use land efficiently and take a whole-system approach linking generation with storage and wider energy infrastructure. Applicants should show proportionate local community benefits. A land use hierarchy applies: brownfield land first, then lower-grade farmland, with the best and most versatile agricultural land used only where no reasonable alternative exists.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section restates the scope of the policy on new large-scale renewable energy. It covers large-scale renewable and low-carbon energy generation and associated storage, including solar farms, wind energy, battery storage, bioenergy, hydrogen production, heat networks, hydro energy and carbon capture enabled technologies. It notes that detailed requirements for specific types of renewable energy scheme are set out in the following policy, ID.22.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets detailed requirements for different types of large renewable energy scheme. Solar farms on brownfield land are supported where contamination is addressed and impacts such as glint, glare and noise are avoided. On greenfield land, developers must justify the site, avoid prominent ridgelines and high-value habitats, keep hedgerows and show the best farmland is not needed for food production. Solar is also supported on former quarries, capped landfill, marginal land, transport corridors and car park canopies. Wind energy should go on brownfield or lower-grade agricultural land.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section continues the detailed renewable energy requirements. Wind schemes on the best farmland need a sequential site assessment and must allow farming to continue on most of the site. Battery storage must show fire safety measures and should sit near substations or grid nodes. Major developments must be heat network ready where a district heat network exists or is planned. Farm bioenergy must use genuine waste rather than energy crops, and hydrogen, hydro and carbon capture schemes each have their own safety and location tests.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the chapter on growing the South Warwickshire economy. It describes the area as a gateway to the West Midlands, with direct access to London via the M40 and the Chiltern main line, just 10 miles from Birmingham, and crossed by the strategic A46 route. It also notes that up to 1.18 million UK jobs could exist in low-carbon and renewable energy sectors by 2050, an opportunity the plan wants the area to be well placed to capture.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new employment development to minimise its carbon footprint through climate adaptation and mitigation measures. Renewable energy generation must be built into all new employment schemes unless there is specific justification that it would be inappropriate for the location or type of development. Retrofitting existing workplaces to improve energy efficiency and add low carbon technologies will be supported, as will employment proposals that contribute to innovation in the low-carbon and renewable energy sector.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the reasoning behind the low carbon economy policy. Both councils declared a climate emergency in 2019 and committed to cutting district-wide emissions by 55% by 2030, backed by a joint Climate Change Action Programme agreed in 2021. Energy use in non-domestic buildings and industrial processes accounts for 22.5% of the area's carbon footprint. The plan aims to help businesses cut their emissions and to capture the economic opportunities of the move to net zero.

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.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the Achieving Climate Resilient and Net Zero part of the plan. It supports the plan's objectives on providing infrastructure in the right place at the right time and contributing to net zero carbon targets. It states that the Local Plan has a legal duty and a decisive role in tackling climate change, by shaping places that support the move to net zero carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, improving resilience.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new homes, where viable, to be designed for net zero or net negative operational energy use. Homes must have space heating demand of no more than 20 kWh per square metre a year and total energy use of no more than 35 kWh per square metre a year, which can be a site-wide average provided no home exceeds 60. On-site renewable electricity is required to a set formula, and developments must not connect to the gas grid. Accurate energy predictions must be shown at application stage and confirmed on completion.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section presents the net zero requirements for new homes. New residential development should achieve net zero, or where possible net negative, operational energy use. That means limiting space heating demand to 20 kWh per square metre a year and total energy use to 35 kWh per square metre a year, and providing on-site renewable electricity generation to a set formula. The renewable target can be met across a whole site, including in mixed-use schemes.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the non-residential net zero policy in detail. Buildings must not use fossil fuels except for safety-critical backup, and schemes of 1,000 square metres or more should follow an assured performance method through design and construction. Where on-site renewables fall short, developers must pay an offset contribution, starting at £2.03 per kWh, ring-fenced for local renewable energy projects. Building-mounted solar panels are preferred, standalone commercial power stations do not count towards the target, and accurate energy prediction methods such as Passivhaus Planning Package or CIBSE TM54 are required rather than standard building regulations calculations.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new non-residential buildings of 100 square metres or more, where viable, to achieve net zero operational energy use. Space heating demand must be no more than 15 kWh per square metre a year in schools and light industrial buildings. Total energy use targets are 52 kWh per square metre a year for primary schools and 35 for unrefrigerated light industrial buildings, while other uses must disclose their energy use and keep regulated energy within 30. On-site renewable electricity must match the building's annual total energy use, and targets can be met as a site-wide average.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy tackles embodied carbon, the emissions created by making materials and constructing buildings. Demolishing a building of 100 square metres or more must be justified, for example on feasibility or poor energy efficiency grounds. Major schemes of 10 or more homes or 1,000 square metres should set out the steps taken to reduce embodied carbon. Large schemes of at least 100 homes or 5,000 square metres must submit a calculation using the RICS Whole Life Carbon method, meeting upfront carbon targets of 600 kgCO2e per square metre for houses and non-residential buildings and 500 for flats.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the embodied carbon policy. Embodied carbon covers the emissions from constructing, maintaining and demolishing a building, and makes up around 25% to 75% of a building's lifetime emissions. Materials such as cement, steel and bricks carry high embodied carbon, while timber, hemp and recycled materials are much lower. Full assessments are only required on the largest schemes because of their cost, and the targets already allow for the extra insulation and equipment net zero homes need. Reusing existing buildings is encouraged, since demolition wastes the carbon already invested in them.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets expectations for improving energy performance when existing buildings are converted, extended or change use. Given the urgent need to improve existing buildings to meet local climate commitments and national carbon goals, proposals should show that opportunities to improve energy efficiency and cut operational carbon emissions have been considered in design decisions. The level of detail expected will be proportional to the scale of the proposal. The policy also covers development that would significantly improve the carbon or energy performance of an existing building.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Policy NZ.4 on improving the energy performance of existing buildings. Where planning permission is needed for conversions, extensions or changes of use, applicants should show they have considered energy efficiency. Major schemes (10 or more homes or 1,000 square metres of floorspace) should report percentage improvements using the Building Regulations calculation methods SAP, SBEM or HEM. Committing to EnerPHit certification or the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard earns extra weight in decisions, and low carbon heating must be explored before replacing gas systems.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains Policy NZ.5 on designing buildings to cope with a hotter climate. Major new developments must follow the cooling hierarchy, using passive measures first and active cooling such as air conditioning only as a last resort. Detailed overheating assessments using the industry methods CIBSE TM52 (non-residential) and TM59 (residential) are encouraged, ideally tested against projected 2050 or 2080 weather. The councils argue that the basic route through national Building Regulations Part O is not enough, partly because it does not cover workplaces, schools or leisure buildings.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires development to protect and support the long-term storage of carbon in natural habitats. All development must apply the mitigation hierarchy, which means avoiding harm to carbon sinks first, and must retain carbon-rich features such as soils, peatlands, woodlands, hedgerows, wetlands, grasslands and waterbodies. Development is also expected to deliver a measurable gain in carbon storage, preferably on site, and to secure long-term management of these natural carbon stores.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the policy on carbon sinks, which are natural features that absorb and store carbon. Where a carbon storage gain cannot reasonably be achieved on site, this must be justified with evidence, and off-site measures should support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and may use recognised schemes such as the Ecosystem Services Trading Protocol. Planting to absorb carbon cannot be used as a substitute for avoiding harm to irreplaceable habitats, soils or peatlands. A 2024 technical study mapped existing carbon sinks and sequestration opportunities across the area.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy applies to all major development, whether homes, commercial, industrial, institutional, leisure or mixed use. Where viable, schemes must support the shift to a low carbon, decentralised energy network, meaning energy generated and shared locally rather than only drawn from the national grid. Development must contribute to net zero and energy security. Applicants must follow an energy hierarchy: reduce energy demand first, then maximise efficiency, then incorporate renewable or low carbon energy systems.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the full requirements of Policy NZ.7 on local energy systems for major development. Applicants must submit a feasibility and viability assessment covering heat networks, on-site renewables, heat pumps, storage and embodied carbon. They must also carry out thermal masterplanning, which maps heat demand and safeguards routes for future energy infrastructure. A clear order of preference applies for heating, starting with connection to a heat network and ending with other systems only where better options are unworkable. Schemes must also plan for grid capacity, energy resilience and long-term management.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy covers minor development of all types, from homes to commercial and leisure uses. Where feasible and proportionate, smaller schemes should include local energy measures such as rooftop solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, smart controls and low-temperature heating in new homes. Designs should also consider embodied carbon in materials and use passive measures to cut heating and cooling demand. Minor development inside a heat network zone must be designed so it can connect to the network in future, unless shown to be unfeasible or unviable.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the policy on local energy systems for minor development. As well as encouraging measures such as solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage, it supports sharing energy infrastructure across neighbouring sites where this causes no unacceptable harm to amenity, landscape or the environment. Energy equipment must be sensitively designed to limit impacts on landscape, heritage, noise, air quality, biodiversity, flood risk and neighbours. The justification notes that decentralised energy helps achieve net zero, eases pressure on the electricity grid and avoids locking in high carbon systems.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the policy on farmland and soils. Development of 5 hectares or more should include a sustainable soil management strategy following Defra's Construction Code of Practice for soils on construction sites. The justification describes agricultural land as a finite resource supporting food security, rural economies and climate resilience. Where soils are disturbed, they should be restored so they can support farming, carbon storage or wildlife. Lower grade land may be developed where this does not undermine wider sustainability aims.