Essex County Council expectations of energy efficiency for all new build homes and buildings endorsed by report.

An innovative new study has endorsed Essex County Council’s strategy aiming for all new build houses and commercial buildings in the county to be energy efficient and net-zero carbon.

Research has been undertaken to support the target for all for new homes and commercial buildings granted planning permissions, to be net zero carbon by 2025 and carbon positive by 2030, or before.

The Net Zero Carbon Viability Study Report was commissioned on behalf of Essex Climate Action Commission (ECAC) and was undertaken by Three Dragons, a consultancy specialising in building viability, economy and town planning.

ECAC was set up to advise on how best to tackle the climate crisis and become a net zero emissions county by 2030. The research was recommended by the Commission to focus on delivering net zero development.

The Net Zero Carbon Viability Study Report has produced evidence endorsing Essex County Council’s strategy that all new homes and buildings should be highly energy efficient, incorporating heat pumps and renewable energy technology.

Building to these standards means that the energy demand for heating a building (known as space heating) is reduced by more than 70 per cent and consequently, energy bills are reduced significantly.

Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: "I very much welcome the completion of the Net Zero Carbon Viability Study Report, and aligns with our ambitions for Everyone’s Essex. The report provides a strong and robust basis to develop net zero carbon development policies in local plans and supports developers during pre-application discussions.”

“Indeed, it confirms that building homes to this new standard, while incorporating low carbon heating and renewable energy technology is viable across Essex. It also includes some key recommendations for further pieces of work, and I am pleased to confirm that the Commission has already given the go ahead for these follow up studies to be undertaken.

“ECC expects all new homes to achieve these standards and key performance indicators, and we are working with local authorities to reflect this in local plan policies. I hope that this work help set the basis for working with developers to achieve truly net zero sustainable development in all parts of Essex.”

Evidence from the viability study has pushed forward discussions for net zero development, through the master planning process and pre-application discussions with developers on their development sites. It will also develop a robust suite of net zero planning policies for new local plans.

A number of key recommendations from the report will help direct future commissions and evidence to support further the push for net zero development.