CS16 guidance note (PDF) - Lake District National Park

Meeting policy CS16
What information do I need to include with my planning application?
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
May August 2012 2012

What does policy CS16 say?
Core Strategy policy CS16 requires all planning applications for new housing developments or other uses of 200
square metres or more floorspace to demonstrate that the scheme incorporates measures that will generate energy
from renewable or low-carbon sources. This renewable or low carbon energy must offset at least 10 percent of
the predicted carbon emissions of the building. In order to assess an application which meets the CS16 threshold,
we require you to provide a minimum amount of information. We need this information before we can validate
your planning application.
Full text of policy CS16 - Generating renewable and low carbon energy
We want to increase the proportion of energy generated by renewable and low carbon sources.
We will support renewable energy developments, including any additional buildings or infrastructure directly
related to the renewable energy scheme. Proposals should not adversely affect the landscape character of the
National Park or its special qualities.
When assessing proposals for renewable energy development, we will take into account the cumulative effect
of additional renewable energy development in the locality.
We will assess wind energy developments in accordance with the Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary
Planning Document.
We will require all new housing developments and all developments for other uses of 200sqm or more floorspace
to generate energy from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon sources to reduce the predicted
CO2 emissions of the development by 10 per cent or more. We may adjust this requirement where the
applicant provides evidence to demonstrate that it is not viable for a particular type or location of
development.
We will encourage all developments to provide decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energy above the
10 per cent target where feasible.
What information do I need to provide with an application?
In order to demonstrate that your proposal meets the requirements of CS16 you must:
• Include appropriate renewable or low-carbon technologies in the design
• Provide a statement explaining how the proposed technologies will generate energy to meet the 10
percent requirement of policy CS16
At the moment we will not insist that your statement is informed by a SAP calculation, however your statement
should clearly explain how the requirements of policy have been taken into account by the scheme. We cannot
consider applications until we have received your statement.
We recognise that some modern agricultural buildings will have very low energy demands, and we will waive the
requirement for a statement in those cases. We also recognise that in some cases, for example developments of
listed buildings, certain types of renewable and low-carbon technologies (for example solar panels) may not be
appropriate.
If your proposal does not meet the 10% requirement you must submit a statement justifying why.
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

What renewable or low-carbon energy technology should I use?
When choosing what renewable and low-carbon energy technology/technologies you incorporate into your
scheme, we suggest using a suitably qualified professional with knowledge of renewable energy to help with this
stage.
There are a range of technologies which could deliver CO2 savings, including:
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
• Solar thermal panels
• Ground source heat pumps
• Air source heat pumps
• Combined heat and power
• Biomass
• Hydro-electrictity
• Wind energy
It is worth considering whether the renewable energy installation could displace more than 10 percent of CO2
emissions. There are financial benefits from installing renewable energy technologies as a result of the Feed-In
Tariffs (FITs) for selling electricity to the national grid and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for heat production. Not
all technologies will be suitable or appropriate in every instance.
Why do I have to do this now - I didn’t before?
When we consider a planning application we have to determine that proposal against our Development
Plan policies. These policies have recently changed, and these changes include the introduction of the 10%
requirement.
Why do I have to do the statement before you will accept my application?
Without the necessary information a proposal could not be shown to pass the requirements of policy CS16 and we
would have no choice other than to refuse planning permission. By ensuring we have the information we need
up front, we reduce the likelihood of delays and refusals which are potentially costly to you. By considering the
requirements of CS16 at an early stage, it also reduces the risk of redesign and resubmission being required at a
later date.
Where can I find out more about CS16 and energy saving?
Our Core Strategy provides more details on policy CS16 and our planning policy requirements. There are also
lots of sources of information about energy saving. We have teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust who
provide useful guidance about energy saving in the home. For more information contact us, or visit www.
energysavingtrust.org.uk. If you are a small or medium sized business www.carbontrust.co.uk is a useful starting
point.
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Contact us
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss Business Park
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
LA9 7RL
Telephone: 01539 724555
Fax: 01539 740822
Minicom: 01539 792690
Email: hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
A duty planning officer is available Monday
to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm
to talk to either by phone or in person at
our Kendal offices. We also run planning
surgeries in Keswick, Glenridding and
Gosforth where you can meet an officer in
person. Please see our website or call us for
details of surgery times and locations.