Volume 1 Written Statement

Chapter 12: Environmental Infrastructure and Management
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buses fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas (with potential for eventual conversion to biofuel) into the
fleet during the lifetime of the Plan. However, this measure has no specific landuse requirements.
12.29 Energy use for heating purposes relates to both minimising heat loss (through energy efficient new
construction and the retrofitting of existing buildings) and to use of alternative heat sources.
Construction to Minimise Heat Loss
12.30 Given its relatively mild climate, it is generally considered that Cork City has significant potential to
minmise the need for heating through low-energy design. While several factors in low-energy
construction lie outside the scope of traditional planning considerations (detailed construction
standards are the remit of Building regulations (Technical Guidance Document L)) 26 , there are ways in
which the planning process can facilitate and encourage low-energy design, such as building orientation
to maximise solar gain and reduce the need for electric lighting. The planning process (particularly
pre-application consultations) can also be used as a channel for information provision to both applicants
and their agents regarding low-energy design. Such information could include technical and design
guidelines, details of pilot projects, details of national incentive schemes, and other resources related
to low energy design.
Objective 12.8 Information Provision on Low Energy Design
The Planning Directorate will use the planning process to encourage low-energy design through measures
including information provision (in conjunction with other Directorates) and through the development of Corkspecific
standards/ guidelines in respect of spatial requirements within the remit of planning (e.g. solar
orientation).
Retrofitting to Minimise Heat Loss
12.31 Given that Cork City’s administrative area is largely built out, the retrofit of existing buildings to reduce
heat loss is a significant issue. Works such as external insulation can raise planning issues in respect
to visual impact, and no national guidelines or regulations currently exist in this regard. Providing
clear guidance for property owners can remove impediments to retrofitting to minimise heat loss.
Objective 12.9 Retrofitting for Energy Savings Guidelines
During the lifetime of the Development Plan, Cork City Council will develop and guidelines and standards to
assist property owners in respect of energy retrofitting and planning considerations.
As a significant property owner (including 20% of the housing stock in the City), Cork City Council can
also reduce heat loss through retrofitting of its own building stock. Significant works have been carried
out to the Council’s building stock in recent years and will continue as funding allows.
Alternative Heat Sources
12.32 Two alternative heat sources with significant potential for medium- to large-scale developments in the
city include “deep” geothermal energy and district heating. Current examples of geothermal heating
include the Lifetime Lab, Glucksman Art Gallery and City Hall. However, the potential for thermal
pollution arising from geothermal heating would need to be mitigated. There is an objective (see
Objective 12.4) to establish standards in this regard.
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In relation to district heating, Cork City Council recently installed a small biomass district heating system
(58 houses and a community centre) at the Glen, and a feasibility study for district heating in the
Docklands (see Chapter 13.58) was produced in 2009. District heating is too costly to retrofit to existing
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Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland 2007-2020
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Section 4.11, Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (Department of the
Environment, Heritage, and Local Government)
Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021
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