Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

Chapter 8. Utilities
Introduction
8.1 This chapter considers the provision of utilities in the Borough, specifically analysing:
• existing provision and capacity
• impacts on existing provision and capacity over the plan period
• identification of where future provision will be required
• role of local plan
• costs of any planned infrastructure and sources of funding
8.2 Energy (gas and electricity), mobile communications, drinking water supply and waste
water treatment will be considered individually.
Energy (gas and electricity)
Existing conditions
8.3 A number of companies supply gas to the Runnymede area. The gas network in the
Borough is supported by a range of local and regional infrastructure.
8.4 The Runnymede area is served by two main Regional Energy Suppliers: EDF Energy
and Southern Electric although customers are free to choose their energy supplier.
There are two known electricity switching stations within the Borough, in New Haw. It
should be noted however that provision of this type of infrastructure is not based on
local authority boundaries, and as such infrastructure elsewhere in the region in all
likelihood also supports properties within the Borough.
Local Plan
8.5 The increase in the forecasted amount of development in the Borough and population
growth generally across the plan period has been documented elsewhere in this report.
The location policies in the Local Plan; LP01-LP08, confirm where new development is
expected in the Borough over the plan period. Development would largely be focused
in the Borough’s Urban Areas and at the former DERA site in Longcross (where 1500
dwellings are expected to be provided over the plan period). Development in these
areas over the plan period will require electricity and gas from the existing networks.
8.6 The potential growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs) (discussed in more detail in the ‘future provision’ section below) over the plan
period would be in accordance with the aims of Strategic Policy 9 (SP09) which is
concerned with sustainable transport provision in the Borough over the plan period.
Future provision
8.7 The forecast for household growth in the Scotia Gas Networks Southern region is
12.4% over the forecast period and is being driven by a combination of continued
immigration, increases in single occupancy and greater job opportunities remaining in
the South of England. The current demand forecasts indicate however an overall
0.91% decrease in annual gas demand for the Southern Networks between 2011 and
2020. (Scotland Gas Networks and Southern Gas Networks Long Term Development
Statement 2011). There are no known plans to improve the gas infrastructure in the
Borough over the plan period.
8.8 There are also no known plans to improve the electricity infrastructure within the
Borough. It should be noted however that a number of volume car manufacturers have
announced intentions to develop electric vehicles (EVs) and plug in hybrid electric
vehicles (PHEVs). These will initially be introduced into the UK market as
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013