100108 stockport energy study final · set out in the uk low carbon transition plan and the...

Stockport Climate Change & Energy Evidence Study

Final Draft Report

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

December 2009

Prepared by: Approved by:

Matthew Cotton Associate Director Robert Shaw Associate Director

Celeste Morgan Associate Director

Timothy Kay Consultant

Rev Comments Prepared Approved Date No by by

0 Draft for comment MC RS 09.12.09

1 Draft for comment – includes policy options MC RS 05.01.10

2 Final draft MC RS 08.01.10

AECOM 1 New York Street, Manchester, M2 3AZ T +44 (0)161 601 1700 F +44 (0)161 601 1799 Website: http://www.aecom.com Job No 60103606 Date Created December 2009 This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited (“AECOM”) for the sole use of our client (the “Client”) and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM.

http:http://www.aecom.com

Table of Contents

Non Technical Summary ............................................................................................................ 5

Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... 12

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 14 1.1 Project Scope...................................................................................................... 14 1.2 The Need for a Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Study .............................. 14 1.3 The AGMA energy planning framework.............................................................. 15 1.4 Structure of the Report ....................................................................................... 17

2 Stockport in Context..................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Policy Context ..................................................................................................... 18 2.2 Existing Building Stock - Profiles ........................................................................ 29 2.3 Baseline CO2 Emissions and Energy Consumption ........................................... 32 2.4 Future Development in Stockport ....................................................................... 38 2.5 Future Energy demands in Stockport ................................................................. 43 2.6 Key Considerations Emerging from this Chapter ............................................... 45

3 Opportunities for Energy Efficiency ........................................................................... 46 3.1 Improving Energy Efficiency of Homes............................................................... 46 3.2 Improving Energy Efficiency in Non-domestic Buildings .................................... 52 3.3 Key Considerations Emerging from this Chapter ............................................... 53

4 Opportunities for District Heating and CHP ............................................................... 54 4.1 Opportunities for District Heating........................................................................ 54 4.2 Opportunities for CHP......................................................................................... 54 4.3 Scale of potential in Stockport ............................................................................ 55 4.4 Delivery considerations....................................................................................... 60 4.5 Key Considerations Emerging from this Chapter ............................................... 64

5 Opportunities for Low Carbon and Renewable Technologies ................................. 65 5.1 Existing Situation ................................................................................................ 65 5.2 The Renewable Energy Challenge ..................................................................... 67 5.3 Estimating Borough Wide Low Carbon and Renewable Potential ..................... 68 5.4 Hydro Energy Potential ....................................................................................... 68 5.5 Large-Scale Wind Energy Potential.................................................................... 72 5.6 Medium-Scale Wind Energy Potential (Typically 30 to 330kW) ......................... 81 5.7 Biomass Energy Potential................................................................................... 83 5.8 Micro generation Potential .................................................................................. 91 5.9 Geothermal ......................................................................................................... 95 5.10 Expected Delivery of Low carbon and Renewable Energy Through New

Development....................................................................................................... 99 5.11 Summary of Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Potential ............................ 102 5.12 Key Considerations Emerging from this Chapter ............................................. 103

6 Energy Opportunities Plan......................................................................................... 104 6.1 The Energy Opportunities Plan......................................................................... 104 6.2 Planning Designation Areas ............................................................................. 104

7 Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM ............................................................. 106 7.1 Code for Sustainable Homes - overview .......................................................... 106 7.2 BREEAM........................................................................................................... 107 7.3 The Stockport Situation .................................................................................... 108 7.4 Code and BREEAM – Cost implications........................................................... 115 7.5 Code and BREEAM – Policy considerations .................................................... 120 7.6 Key Considerations Emerging from this Chapter ............................................. 121

8 Policy Recommendations .......................................................................................... 123 8.1 Developing the AGMA energy planning framework.......................................... 123 8.2 Policy Recommendation 1: Making improvements to existing dwellings ......... 124 8.3 Policy Recommendation 2: Delivering the Energy Opportunities Plans – New

development ..................................................................................................... 125

8.4 Policy Recommendation 3: District heating (Network Development Areas)..... 130 8.5 Policy Recommendation 4: Community Owned Energy................................... 131

9 Policy Testing.............................................................................................................. 133 9.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 133 9.2 Policy Options ................................................................................................... 133 9.3 Development Types.......................................................................................... 134 9.4 Analysing the Impact of Policy.......................................................................... 135

10 Delivering and Monitoring Low Carbon and Renewable Energy in Stockport ..... 138 10.1 Delivering CO2 reduction in existing development ........................................... 138 10.2 Delivering CO2 reduction in new development ................................................. 139 10.3 Delivering district Heating and biomass............................................................ 140 10.4 Delivering wind and hydro energy .................................................................... 142 10.5 Monitoring progress .......................................................................................... 144

11 Recommendations ...................................................................................................... 146

Appendix A: Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Technology Descriptions................... 148

Appendix B: Funding Mechanisms for Low Carbon and Renewable Technologies........ 157

Appendix C: Policy Testing - Results.................................................................................... 162

Appendix D: Policy Testing – modelling assumptions ....................................................... 174

Appendix E: Example Energy Efficiency Checklist ............................................................. 184

Appendix F: Strategic Sites, Areas of Opportunity and Character Areas ......................... 186

5 AECOM Stockport Climate Change & Energy Evidence Study

Non Technical Summary

1.1 Introduction and Purpose of the Study This study recommends planning policy to reduce the impact of development in Stockport on climate change. It also considers other mechanisms which the Council can use to promote energy efficiency and development of decentralised, low carbon and renewable energy supplies in the borough. The recommendations are based on the available evidence regarding local opportunities and constraints. The policies proposed are considered to be technically feasible and financially viable in general terms.

1.2 The need for a Renewable Energy Potential Study This study is intended to contribute to the evidence base for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Core Strategy policies. It has been prepared in accordance with national guidance, primarily the PPS1 Supplement (the PPS1 Supplement, 2007), which states that planning authorities should have “an evidence-based understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies.”

Buildings are responsible for a large proportion of Stockport’s CO2 emissions. Tackling this sector is essential for making significant cuts in emissions from the borough. Assessment of the CO2 emissions from other sectors is beyond the scope of this study.

1.3 Policy Drivers There is a clear framework through national policy for inclusion of planning policies designed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Key drivers include the legal requirement, through the Climate Change Act 2008, for an 80% reduction in the UK’s CO2 emissions over 1990 levels by 2050 and the binding commitment to generate 15% of the UK’s total energy from renewable sources by 2020. The Government’s strategy for delivering these hugely challenging targets is set out in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan and the Renewable Energy Strategy. These national targets alone provide sufficient justification for setting stringent energy policies in development plan documents.

In addition, new buildings must comply with Part L of the Building Regulations which govern the level of CO2 emissions that are permissible from any building. Changes to the Building Regulations in April 2010 and 2013 are expected to bring in demanding CO2 emissions targets, leading to zero carbon homes by 2016 and non domestic buildings by 2019. These changes will gradually shift most of the onus for delivering on-site energy efficiency, low carbon and renewable energy generation away from planning and onto the Building Regulations.

1.4 Growth in Stockport

Stockport comprises a mixture of urban development predominately in the north and west of the

borough alongside semi rural ribbon development to south and east, bordering the Peak District

National Park. The North West Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 states that the borough needs

to deliver 8,100 new homes in the period 2003 to 2021. It is likely that a considerable proportion

of this will be detached houses or flats on previously developed land.

The regeneration of Stockport Town Centre is a priority for the Council. The proposed

Bridgefield and Knightsbridge redevelopments offer the potential to develop low carbon heat,

cooling and power infrastructure from the outset which could expand to link key ‘anchor loads’

along Wellington Road into a heat network. This report provides a summary of the potential

opportunities for the Town Centre area, Woodford Aeorodrome, as well as an overview of the

opportunities for a typical suburban area (case study based on Bramhall) and an area of high

housing density (case study based on York Street)


There is marginal growth expected in the development of new office and industrial buildings

over the core strategy period in addition to no significant growth in schools, although there will

be a focus on consolidation and improvement to existing building stock.

1.5 Opportunities for Energy Efficiency

Existing buildings represent the largest energy demand in Stockport. Any strategy for CO2 reduction in buildings should consider the potential for increased energy efficiency in the

existing stock as well as new developments. There are approximately 120,000 homes in the

borough and the current replacement rate is negligible, with virtually all new dwellings being

built to increase supply rather than replace older stock. This means that most of the existing

stock will be retained, certainly over the period of influence of the Core Strategy and probably

for decades after this time. This presents a significant problem for energy consumption but also

great potential for making improvements. Chapter 3 provides further detail on possible

improvements to upgrade the existing stock and energy efficiency measures that could be

incorporated into new development.

1.6 Opportunities for Energy Supply Networks and Low Carbon and Renewable

Energy Generation

The opportunities for decentralised and low carbon and renewable energy installations have

been assessed across existing and new development and at the community scale.

Figure 1. The three opportunities for CO2 reduction in buildings across Stockport

The available opportunities consist of district heating networks to provide community heat

(preferably with combined heat and power (CHP) to provide electricity), establishing supply

chains to manage local biomass, hydro energy from local rivers, energy from waste, large and

small scale wind generation and microgeneration technologies (solar hot water, photovoltaic

and heat pumps). Microgenertion technologies tend to be less location specific and therefore

have little influence on the spatial arrangements of development.

The expected tightening of the Building Regulations means that installation of on-site

microgeneration technologies will increasingly fall beyond the remit of planners. The role of the

local authority will be to support developers in fulfilling their regulatory obligations and, where

necessary, requiring building performance standards ahead of the Building Regulations in order

to kick start the development of low carbon and renewable energy infrastructure. Post 2016, the

Council will need to assist by identifying “allowable solutions”, the proposed mechanism for new

development to achieve “zero carbon” status, by linking to off-site solutions. Opportunities will

still exist for local authorities to influence energy efficiency measures and the retrofitting of

microgeneration technologies to the existing stock.

These opportunities cannot be delivered through planning alone. However, planning is unique in that it is the only activity that is able to build up a comprehensive spatial understanding of the opportunities for decentralised, low carbon and renewable energy. This study has enabled the


preparation of an Energy Opportunities Plan (Figure 3) based on Stockport’s physical characteristics that spatially maps the low carbon and renewable opportunities available and provides the starting point for identifying appropriate delivery mechanisms. It is recommended that this is incorporated into Stockport’s Core Strategy.

The breadth of this approach allows us to take advantage of the distinct merits of the planning system in promoting decentralised, low carbon and renewable energy without unnecessarily stretching its remit where other regulatory or support regimes may be better placed to take a lead. Importantly, the focus on delivery helps to address the difficult issue of developer viability by shifting much of the cost burden away from developers and onto third parties.

Technology Resources in Stockport

District heating (with or without CHP) Significant resource identified

Hydro Energy Significant resource identified

Energy from waste Significant resource identified

Biomass Energy Significant resource identified

Geothermal Energy No resource identified

Large scale wind Significant resource identified

Small scale wind Significant resource identified

Microgeneration Significant resource identified

Figure 2. Summary of low carbon and renewable energy resources in Stockport

1.7 Policy Recommendations

This study proposes four new policies for the borough:

• Proposed policy 1 recognises the impact of existing dwellings on the borough’s CO2 emissions performance by requiring planning applications for changes to existing domestic dwellings to require (where possible and practical) to undertake reasonable energy efficiency improvements to the existing dwelling. The policy would limit the upgrades to no more than 10% of the total building works.

• To encourage the delivery of the Energy Opportunities Plan, two options have been proposed for policy option 2 (Delivering the Opportunities Plan – New Development).Option 2A accelerates the move towards zero carbon by setting minimum carbon reduction targets ahead of building regulations until 2013. Targets are set for domestic and non domestic buildings in ‘Network Development Areas’ (development in areas where there is potential of connection to a heat network) and ‘microgeneration areas’ (areas where heat networks are technically unfeasible or unviable). A ‘maximum’ target has also been specified where low carbon and renewable opportunities can be delivered more cheaply allowing flexibility in setting higher targets for specific areas of development. An alternative option (2B) removes the requirement for development to achieve a higher target beyond building regulations. Instead, all new buildings would be subject to a financial payment into an investment fund unless they make an equivalent direct contribution to delivering low carbon and renewable energy as identified in the Energy Opportunities Plan. This is a simpler policy compared to policy recommendation 2A and would provide financial resources to strategically co-ordinate and plan the infrastructure to deliver community scale low carbon and renewable energy generation.

• Policy recommendation 3 (District heating) sets out the requirement for new development in ‘Network Development Areas’ to install or connect, or be able to connect in the future to a heat network.

• Policy recommendation 4 sets out the council’s commitment to community owned energy generation including wind and hydro energy and encourages new development in ‘microgeneration areas’ to consider wind or hydro energy as their first options.


1.8 Delivery

The Energy Opportunities Plan identifies a number of low carbon and renewable opportunities that are not deliverable through individual developments or planning applications. To deliver these, Stockport Council will need to take an active role in management and delivery to:

• Improve the energy performance of the existing building stock; • Promote faster uptake of microgeneration technologies than could be expected by

relying on national support measures alone;

• Develop large scale wind as well as hydro energy; • Develop district heating networks; • Create a biomass supply chain; • Set up a monitoring database to capture information about the renewable energy

systems installed on buildings, allowing Stockport to report against local, regional and national targets for low carbon and renewable energy.

Delivery options for each energy opportunity are described in detail in Chapter 10. The Wellbeing Power, introduced through the Local Government Act 2000, promotes innovation in the way that local authorities provide services. This includes the setting up of or participating in local energy services companies (ESCo) and other joint ventures, supplying heat and/or power. Alongside the Wellbeing Power, the Government also introduced the concept of Prudential Borrowing that could enable Stockport Council to borrow money to establish and deliver services that they would otherwise be unable to. The loans, obtained at public sector borrowing rates can be serviced by energy sales and other related income sources.

Other potential income sources include: money raised through a Community Infrastructure Levy or similar charge; revenue from Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs), the feed-in-tariff (to be introduced from April 2010), the renewable heat incentive (from April 2011); and bonds issued to local communities.

The implications for the Council of some of the options are significant, particularly that of establishing Stockport Council and/or AGMA led Energy Services Companies (ESCo). The preferred delivery mechanism should be a coordinated approach between the planning and other Council departments, other local authorities, the local community, the Stockport Strategic Partnership and AGMA.

AECOM Stockport Climate Change & Energy Evidence Study 9

Figure 3. Stockport Energy Opportunities Plan


The following ‘next steps’ should be considered by Stockport Council as a way of implementing the recommendations contained in this report.

Recommendation 1: Decision makers should use this report and other evidence bases to decide what level of policy and targets etc should be incorporated into the LDF, reflecting their deliverability and the achievement of climate change targets.

Recommendation 2: The Council and partners should seek approaches to enable delivery of affordable low carbon housing

Recommendation 3: This report should be used to inform all aspects of the Council’s work on climate change and energy.

Recommendation 4: The Council lead to establish an holistic approach to support deliverability of planning policy including but not limited to:

• Masterplanning and development planning should be informed by low carbon and renewable opportunities as outlined in this report.

• Identification of financial mechanisms including potential partners to develop Energy Services Companies, aligning with AGMA activity on this agenda.

• Identification of funding options, including identifying officer & partner capacity to develop funding bids, especially:

• funding for a Carbon design post within planning and regeneration to facilitate Low Carbon Design. This could include hand-holding developers through low carbon design; training planners and other colleagues on low carbon design issues and co-ordinating low and no cost training for all stakeholders on low carbon and renewable technologies, costs and any other relevant issues

• Revision of skills to deliver a low carbon economy including the planning policy deliverables of low carbon design

• Support and facilitate an AGMA approach to considering existing design tools such as the web-based Carbon Planner and/or developing an AGMA specific tool.

Recommendation 5: Undertake a desk based study onto the potential mechanisms for delivering biofuels using short rotation coppice or traditional woodland.

Recommendation 6: Undertake a detailed energy Masterplan and strategy for the Town Centre, with particular focus on the potential for heat networks based on the findings of this study

Recommendation 7: The Council already demonstrates leadership by investing in its own buildings to improve energy performance. Corporate strategies should reflect the need for energy efficiency in procurement, operation and maintenance (for example, by requiring energy efficient appliances in public stock), supporting the Council’s emerging Environmental Management System (ISO 14001). The Council has committed to the 10:10 campaign

1 to cut

it’s own carbon emissions and emissions in the borough by at least ten per cent in 2010. This report should inform actions to achieve this.

Recommendation 8: Further work is undertaken to confirm the low carbon and renewable energy opportunities for reducing CO2 emissions from transport in the borough.

Recommendation 9: A database is developed of all planning applications showing the energy/CO2 reduction targets met for new development. This should be linked to GIS, allowing spatial representation of progress against CO2 and renewable energy targets and should be accessible by other departments outside planning (such as Transport).

Recommendation 9: Periodic reviews are carried out into the development of emerging technologies, in particular, those with the capability to generate renewable electricity such as fuel cells.

1 www.1010uk.org/organisations

www.1010uk.org/organisations


Recommendation 10: Further work is undertaken to investigate ways of adapting the borough’s building stock to climate change effects, for example, those predicted by the UKCIP

2

models.

2 www.ukcip.org.uk

www.ukcip.org.uk


Glossary

AGMA Association of Greater Manchester Authorities

AMR Annual Monitoring Report

APEE Advanced Practice Energy Efficiency

AWARM Affordable Warmth Access Referral Mechanism

BERR (Department of) Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

BPEE Best Practice Energy Efficiency

BREEAM Building Research Environmental Assessment Method

BSF Building Schools for the Future

CCGT Combined Cycle Gas Turbine

CERT Carbon Emissions Reduction Target

CHP Combined Heat and Power

CIBSE Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers

CfSH Code for Sustainable Homes

COP Coefficient of Performance

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

DCLG Department of Communities and Local Government

DECC Department of Energy and Climate Change

DER Domestic Energy Rating

°C Degrees Celsius

DHN District Heating Network

EPCs Energy Performance Certificates

ESCo Energy Services Company

EST Energy Saving Trust

GSHP Ground Source Heat Pump

HECA Home Energy Conservation Act

HHSRS Housing Health and Safety Rating System

LAA Local Area Agreement

LDF Local Development Framework

LZC Low or Zero Carbon

m/s Meters per second

ONS Office of National Statistics

PV Photovoltaic

RSL Registered Social Landlord

SAP Standard Assessment Procedure

SHLAA Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment


SMBC Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

SPD Supplementary Planning Document

SUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

2Sq.m / m Square meter

t tonne

TER Target Emissions Rating

UDP Unitary Development Plan

Energy terms

W Watt (unit of power)

Wh Watt hour (unit of energy – equal to 3600 joules)

Wp Watt peak (peak available power that can be generated by a system)

Wth Watts of thermal power

We Watts of electrical power

Unit Meaning Value

k Kilo 1,000

M Mega 1,000,000

G Giga 1,000,000,000

e.g. MWh - Megawatt hour

Approximate electricity consumption for a 3 bedroom house in the UK is 4.2 MWh per annum

Approximate gas consumption for a 3 bedroom house in the UK is 25.0 MWh per annum


1 Introduction

1.1 Project Scope

AECOM has been commissioned by the planning department of Stockport Metropolitan

Borough Council (“the Council”) to undertake a Climate Change and Energy Evidence Base

Study, in order to support the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from residential and

non-domestic buildings and an increase in the supply of low carbon and renewable energy in

the borough. The study is part of the evidence base for the emerging Core Strategy, and is also

intended to inform future development of other local development documents.

The objectives of the study, as defined in the brief, were to:

• Map the existing and future opportunities for district heating in Stockport. • Map the distribution and extent of existing and potential renewable energy resources

(e.g. wind, biomass, hydro, solar, ground/air source and energy from waste) within Stockport and how they can be exploited, in relation to specific new and existing development and larger scale heat and power generation.

• Assess the feasibility and viability of setting a target percentage contribution from decentralised and low carbon and renewable energy sources in new development

• Identify potential policies for inclusion in the Core Strategy, set in the context of future requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM measures for non-domestic buildings

• Provide guidance on how the Council can implement and monitor the recommended approach.

1.2 The Need for a Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Study

Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (PPS1) (2005) emphasises

the need to promote more sustainable development. The PPS1 Supplement expects local

authorities to encourage the uptake of decentralised, low carbon and renewable energy

generation through the Local Development Framework (LDF).

The PPS1 Supplement states that planning authorities should have “an evidence-based

understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies”.

It goes on to explain that, by drawing on the evidence base and with consistency in housing and

economic objectives, planning authorities should:

“(i) set out a target percentage of the energy to be used in new development to come

from decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energy sources where it is viable. The

target should avoid prescription on technologies and be flexible in how carbon savings

from local energy supplies are to be secured;

(ii) where there are particular and demonstrable opportunities for greater use of

decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energy than the target percentage, bring

forward development area or site-specific targets to secure this potential; and, in bringing

forward targets,

(iii) set out the type and size of development to which the target will be applied; and

(iv) ensure there is a clear rationale for the target and it is properly tested.”

The PPS1 Supplement states that in preparing Local Development Framework (LDF) Core

Strategies, planning authorities should:

“Consider identifying suitable areas for renewable and low-carbon energy sources, and

supporting infrastructure. Care should be taken to avoid stifling innovation including by

rejecting proposals solely because they are outside areas identified for energy generation

and…


Expect a proportion of the energy supply of new development to be secured from

decentralised and renewable or low-carbon energy sources.”

This reflects a growing recognition of the crucial role the local authorities must play in delivering

low carbon communities and the challenges identified above. The Government’s draft Heat and

Energy Saving Strategy sets out the need for a more co-ordinated approach to streets or

neighbourhoods to deliver significant improvements in energy performance. It is anticipated that

local authorities will be at the heart of this. This is endorsed by a recent Audit Commission

report into the role of local council in reducing domestic CO2 emissions3, which emphasises that

“councils can use their influence, legal powers and resources to:

• Lead – encouraging local communities and public and private sector organisations to take action on domestic energy by developing a clear strategic vision, facilitating partnership working, providing information, advice and support and championing energy issues;

• Oblige – using powers within the planning system to promote the development of more sustainable homes and increase the supply of low carbon and renewable energy; enforcing Building Regulations; and using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to improve private sector homes; and

• Subsidise – funding measures in council homes and using financial incentives – such as council tax rebates, and direct funding, for example – home improvement grants or loans to promote take-up of measures to improve energy efficiency and supply of low carbon and renewable energy.”

Planning has an important part to play in making this a reality, particularly in providing the

evidence and resource assessments, policies and targets that underpin wider local authority

CO2 reduction strategies.

1.3 The AGMA energy planning framework

This study was commissioned following on from publication of the draft “Decentralised and Zero Carbon Planning” study for the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA)

4. The

AGMA report provides a high level evidence base showing the potential for low carbon and renewable energy generation across the AGMA sub-region and recommends a broad ‘energy planning framework’. The key aim was to identify how planning can help the region decouple growth from CO2 emissions and fossil fuel prices.

The AGMA analysis showed that without planned infrastructure investment (which could be bought about through planning alongside other delivery mechanisms), the region will be constrained in trying to meet future regulatory targets for both domestic and non domestic buildings (e.g. Building Regulations Part L). The key recommendation is the development of regional spatial energy planning at three scales:

• Regional – including delivery of strategic low carbon and renewable energy projects across the North West region.

• City region – including delivery of cross district projects that are jointly developed by local authorities within AGMA. This would include development of large scale, cross boundary heat networks or wind energy sites.

• District scale – development of Core Strategies including identification of strategic opportunities for low carbon and renewable infrastructure in each local authority. Key to this would be the development of an ‘energy opportunities plan’ by each authority.

The AGMA study identifies a broad ‘energy planning framework’ that could be adopted by local authorities within AGMA. The key aspects of the framework that were identified are:

Development of Energy Opportunities Plans Mapping the availability of distinct local energy resources and identifying area or site specific proposals for low carbon and renewable infrastructure. Energy opportunities plans would be

3 Audit Commission (October 2009) ‘Lofty Ambitions: The Role of Councils in Reducing

Domestic CO2 Emissions: Local Government’ 4

AGMA Decentralised and zero carbon energy planning (October 2009)


drawn up at different scales reflecting areas of change, e.g. Area Action Plans, Regional Spatial Strategy focus areas for development, regeneration areas or masterplans.

Supporting planning mechanisms To support the delivery of the energy oppurtunities plans, a suite of planning mechanisms are identified:

• Carbon Reduction Statement – developers would be required to submit a projected carbon budget as evidence of how they have met planning and regulatory requirements

• Carbon Reduction Targets – targets would be set for new development to reduce CO2 emissions beyond the minimum regulatory requirements – see Target Setting Framework below.

• Network connection requirements – planning policy to require developers to connect buildings to existing or planned heating networks.

• Allowable solution contributions – provision to collect infrastructure contributions from developers to fund low carbon and renewable infrastructure (heat networks, wind power, micro generation).

Target Setting Framework Identify carbon reduction targets for new development beyond minimum regulatory compliance targets. Targets would be specified for three types of development:

• Network development areas • Electricity intense areas • Micro generation areas

The designation of areas and associated targets would be determined by answering a simple set of questions. For each type of development, developers would have to show that the targets had been met through a ‘Carbon Reduction Statement’ which would form part of the Design and Access Statement for the development. Targets would apply to both regulated energy (e.g. heating, cooling, lighting etc.), and unregulated energy (energy that is not currently regulated under Part L of the Building Regulations, e.g. appliances). The targets would go beyond the current North West RSS target of 10% contribution (in energy terms) from low carbon and renewable energy.

This report builds on the AGMA study findings and recommendations to provide a more detailed evidence base for Stockport to inform their Core Strategy. This includes:

• Detailed analysis of opportunities and constraints for low carbon and renewable energy generation within Stockport including detailed resource mapping and identification of

key sites for low carbon and renewable energy generation (e.g. potential areas for

community wind development)

• Detailed heat mapping and identification of heat network opportunities

Whilst the broad energy framework developed from the AGMA study has been used as the basis for policy recommendations (e.g. Energy Opportunities Plans and the Target Setting Framework), the policy options provided for Stockport include additional and amended strategies that reflect the rapidly changing and evolving knowledge within the area of low carbon and renewable energy planning.


1.4 Structure of the Report

The report is structured as follows:

1. Introduction: Introduction to the purpose and scope of the study.

2. Stockport in Context: Summary of the national, regional and local policy context and

background on other locally important studies and initiatives in this sector. This also includes a

brief description of the existing building stock in the district and the nature of future

development.

3. Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Improvements: Discussion of the potential to reduce

baseline energy demand by designing the form, fabric and services of new buildings to higher

energy efficiency standards and refurbishing existing buildings.

4. Opportunities for District Heating: Assessment of the potential to supply low carbon heat

through district heating with CHP, using maps of heat demand and other local characteristics.

5. Opportunities for Low Carbon and Renewable Technologies: Assessment of the

potential for supplying energy from low carbon and renewable sources.

6. Energy Opportunities Plans: Energy plan for Stockport showing broad areas of potential

for improvements to existing buildings, district heating areas, biomass and large scale wind

energy.

7. Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM: Overview of the implications for future

development of setting targets using the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM standards.

8. Policy Recommendations: Sets out recommendations for policies that could be applied

across the district and opportunities for varying policy according to location or type of

development.

9. Policy Testing: Describes the policy options that have been considered and the analysis of

their potential impacts.

10. Delivering Low Carbon and Renewable Energy in Stockport: Discussion of the different

mechanisms which may assist in delivering the proposed policy and targets for the borough.

11. Recommendations: Summary of recommendations made throughout the study and

suggestions for next steps and further work.


2.1 Policy Context

Policies regarding renewable energy and CO2 reduction are rapidly evolving as our

understanding of the challenge of climate change becomes clearer and appropriate responses

are established at different administrative levels and through varying mechanisms. This, along

with the multifaceted nature of energy uses, generation methods and fuel sources, makes for a

complicated policy context where approach and importantly targets are not necessarily

consistent or compatible. Below is an outline of the key national policy, which with recent

publications is at the forefront of renewable energy and CO2 reduction policy, followed by

discussion of how regional policy and local policies currently relate.

2.1.1 National Policy

The challenge of climate change has intensified in recent years, including the need to reduce

greenhouse gases and stabilise CO2 in the atmosphere to 450ppm (parts per million). At the

international level, the Kyoto Protocol was agreed to in 1997 and set targets for industrialised

countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. Industrialised countries committed to cut their

combined emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2008 – 2012, although the United States (US)

pulled out in 2001, saying implementing it would gravely damage the US economy as

developing countries (including China and India) did not need to commit to emissions

reductions. The recent Climate Change summit in Copenhagen was meant to pave the way to a ‘new Kyoto’ including development of legally binding CO2 emission reduction targets. The outcome from the conference was a US-led initiative called the Copenhagen Accord. The Accord, reached between the US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa, contains no reference to a legally binding agreement to CO2 reductions. The accord was merely "recognised" by the 193 nations at the Copenhagen summit, rather than approved, which would have required unanimous support. Countries are asked to indicate by 1 February 2010 their pledges for curbing carbon emissions by 2020 although there will be no penalties for any country that fails to meet its promise. UK Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050, and at least 26% by 2020, through the Climate Change Act. The Act is supported by the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, a National strategy for climate and energy, which sets out the Government’s approach to meeting their CO2 reduction commitments. As building related CO2 emissions currently account for approximately 25% of all CO2 emissions, improving efficiency and supplying buildings with low carbon and renewable energy is a priority. Furthermore, it is predicted that around two thirds of the current housing stock will remain in 2050, highlighting the importance of improving the existing housing stock as well ensuring new building are highly efficient. The Transition Plan includes commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from existing housing stock by 29% on 2008 levels by 2020 and by 13% for places of work.

A crucial part of national strategy to reduce CO2 emissions is a step-change in the resources

used to generate electricity and heat, through a switch away from gas and coal, to a much

higher reliance on renewable energy. Installations of low carbon and renewable energy

infrastructure will need to be both significant and wide-spread, with every local authority area

looking to utilise opportunities. The UK is currently committed to meeting carbon reduction

targets set out by the European Commission in the EU Renewable Energy Target which

requires a 20% reduction in CO2 associated with electricity, heating and transport through

conversion to renewable energy sources. As the UK’s portion of this target, it is expected to

supply 15% of its energy from renewable sources. The translation of this target across to the

various energy generation areas is not equal in portion, and is instead related to the

2 Stockport in Context


opportunities and delivery constraints associated with each. Accordingly, the following

proportions of renewable energy supply are expected for the three sectors:

• 30% of electricity

• 12% of heat

• 10% of transport.

This study is concerned with the use of electricity and heat in the built environment, and

excludes the use of renewable energy for transport.

Traditionally, drivers and targets for renewable energy have focussed on electricity supply. We

are now seeing an expansion in focus to consider heat supply as well. The Draft Heat and

Energy Saving Strategy (2009) aims to ensure that emissions from all existing buildings are

approaching zero by 2050. Proposed mechanisms for achieving this include a new focus on

district heating in suitable communities, and removing barriers to the development of heat

networks, encouragement of combined heat and power and better use of surplus heat through

carbon pricing mechanisms. Alongside the drivers for CO2 reduction and the inclusion of

renewables, there are also targets and strategies in place to encourage the inclusion of

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) schemes in new and existing neighbourhoods. In 2000 the

Government set a new target to achieve at least 10,000 MWe of installed Good Quality CHP

capacity by 2010 In support of this target, the Government has set a target to source at least

15% of electricity for use on the Government Estate from Good Quality CHP by 2010. The

Government released a ‘combined heat and power strategy to 2010’ in April 2004 which

encourages a rapid increase in the implementation of CHP. Local authorities play a key

supporting role in the implementation of CHP.

Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (PPS1) (2005) places

an emphasis on promoting more sustainable development, with a supplement to PPS1 on

climate change published in December 2007. It advised planning authorities to provide a

framework to encourage low carbon and renewable energy generation in their local

development documents and confirmed that there are situations where it is appropriate for LPA

to expect higher standards than building regulations. Paragraphs 31-33 explain that the local

circumstances that warrant higher standards must be clearly demonstrated, such that there are

clear opportunities for low carbon developments or that without requirements, development

would be unacceptable for the proposed location. Paragraph 32 suggests that local

requirements should focus on the development area or site-specific opportunities and that the

requirement should be in terms of achievement of nationally described standards such as the

Code for Sustainable Homes. Paragraph 33 requires that decentralised energy or other

sustainable requirements should be set out in a Development Plan Document. Care must also

be taken to demonstrate that the requirements are viable, will not impact on the supply and

pace of housing development and will not inhibit the provision of affordable housing. The

consideration of targets both on a LPA-wide scale and for strategic sites is the focus of this

study.

The Government has also announced its intention for Building Regulations to require that the

dwelling emission rate (DER) of new residential development to be 25% better than Target

Emissions Rate (TER) by 2010, 44% better by 2013 and meeting a zero carbon target by 2016,

with non-residential development expected to meet the zero carbon target by 2019. The

enforcement of CO2 reductions through building regulations, removes the emphasis somewhat

from planning. Previously stand-alone policies for CO2 reduction, such as ‘Merton-style rules’

for inclusion of certain percentages of renewable energy supply, have been used for new

development, but such policies are likely to be superseded by proposals for changes to Building

Regulations to some extent. However, Local Planning Authorities can still require sites to go

beyond Building Regulations where suitable.

The proposed residential Building Regulations correspond to the DER targets set out in the

energy section of the Code for Sustainable Homes for levels 3 (25% reduction) and level 4


(44% reduction), however the definition of zero carbon is likely to differ from the level 6 of the

Code (the Code is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 7). It is a common misconception, that

full Code levels will be required under the government proposals, but in fact it is just the

equivalent of the energy section of the Code that will be applied through Building Regulations.

Expected changes to Building Regulations are discussed in more detail below.

The Government has recently undertaken consultation on the Definition of Zero Carbon

Homes and Non-Residential Buildings. The consultation proposes meeting part of the zero

carbon requirements through offsite measures termed “allowable solutions”. The document

suggests that between 44 and 100% of the CO2 emissions reduction must be met onsite, and

that for the remaining emissions a range of onsite and offsite solutions are possible. Currently, it

is expected that developers will be required to meet a 70% reduction in TER on-site. The

consultation also proposes a maximum cost per tonne of CO2 for offsite measures, which will

be updated in 2012, to give developers some certainty over the costs they face.

Circular 05/2005 (Planning Obligations) states that the objective of the planning system is to

deliver sustainable development and that obligations are intended, among other things, to

secure a contribution from a developer to compensate for loss or damage created by a

development or to mitigate a development's impact.

The Energy Act (2008) gives power to the Secretary of State to establish or make

arrangements for the administration of a scheme of financial incentives to encourage small

scale low-carbon electricity generation. The holders of distribution licenses may also be

required under this act to make arrangements for the distribution of electricity generated by

small-scale low carbon and renewable generation and to make a payment to small-scale low

carbon and renewable generators (or to the Gas & Electricity Markets Authority). This act also

allows the Secretary of State to make regulations to establish a new scheme to facilitate and

encourage renewable heat generation and to establish methods to administer and finance the

scheme.

The Planning Act (2008) paves the way for a new planning system for approving nationally

significant infrastructure projects, and introduces the concept of National Policy Statements

(NPS). These Statements set out how the Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) should

apply Government Policy when determining applications for major infrastructure.

The act also adds a duty on councils to take action on climate change within their development

plans. In addition, the Planning and Energy Act (2008) enables local planning authorities to set

requirements for energy use and energy efficiency in local plans, including:

• a proportion of energy used in development in their area to be energy from renewable sources in the locality of the development;

• a proportion of energy used in development in their area to be low carbon energy from sources in the locality of the development; and

• development in their area to comply with energy efficiency standards that exceed the energy requirements of building regulations.

In November 2009, the Department for Energy and Climate Change published Draft National

Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) which sets out specific

guidance in relation to applications for major renewable energy projects. The Statement covers

only the following types of nationally significant renewable energy infrastructure:

• Energy from biomass and/or waste (>50 megawatts (MW)

• Offshore wind (>100MW)

• Onshore wind (>50MW)


NPS EN-3 does not cover other types of renewable energy generation, such as tidal or wave

power schemes.

The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change is a report released on October 30,

2006 by economist Nicholas Stern for the British government, which discusses the effect of

global warming on the world economy. Although not the first economic report on climate

change, it is significant as the largest and most widely known and discussed report of its kind.

The key points in the review are:

Temperature:

• Carbon emissions have already pushed up global temperatures by half a degree Celsius

• If no action is taken on emissions, there is more than a 75% chance of global temperatures rising between two and three degrees Celsius over the next 50 years

• There is a 50% chance that average global temperatures could rise by five degrees Celsius

Environmental Impact:

• Melting glaciers will increase flood risk

• Crop yields will decline, particularly in Africa

• Rising sea levels could leave 200 million people permanently displaced

• Up to 40% of species could face extinction

• There will be more examples of extreme weather patterns

Economic impact:

• Extreme weather could reduce global gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1%

• A two to three degrees Celsius rise in temperatures could reduce global economic output by 3%

• If temperatures rise by five degrees Celsius, up to 10% of global output could be lost. The poorest countries would lose more than 10% of their output

• In the worst case scenario global consumption per head would fall 20%

• To stabilise at manageable levels, emissions would need to stabilise in the next 20 years and fall between 1% and 3% after that. This would cost 1% of GDP

The report identifies potential options for change including reducing consumer demand for

heavily polluting goods and services, making global energy supplies more efficient, acting on

non-energy emissions including action on deforestation and promoting cleaner energy and

transport technology, with an aspiration for non-fossil fuels to account for 60% of energy output

by 2050

2.1.2 Regional Policy

Prepared by the former North West Regional Assembly (NWRA), now 4NW, the North West of

England Plan (September 2008) is the adopted Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which

provides the broad development framework for the North West up to 2021. The RSS identifies

the scale and location of housing and job growth across the North West over the next fifteen to

twenty years, establishing a broad policy framework for delivering sustainable development in

the region.

Policy DP 9 states that reducing emissions and adaptation to climate change is an ‘urgent

regional priority’, requiring that development plans, strategies and proposals ‘identify, assess

and apply measures to ensure effective adaptation to likely environmental, social and economic

impacts of climate change’. Policy EM 17 is concerned specifically with Renewable Energy,

stating that the proportion of electricity supplied from renewable energy sources in the region

should be 10% by 2010, 15% by 2015 and 20% by 2020, in accordance with the North West

Sustainable Energy Strategy. Furthermore, Policy EM 15 also reaffirms the North West


Sustainable Energy Strategy’s commitment to doubling the region’s installed CHP capacity from

866 MWe to 1.5 GW by 2010.

Under Policy EM 16, local authorities are required to ensure plans and strategies actively

promote energy efficiency improvements and facilitate reductions in energy consumption. As

well as driving energy efficiency, the RSS requires local authorities to promote use of

decentralised, low carbon and renewable energy in new developments coming forward in the

North West. Indeed, Policy EM 18 promotes the use of decentralised and renewable, low

carbon and renewable energy in new developments in order to contribute to targets for

renewable energy generation targets set out in the plan. Specifically, Policy EM 18 requires

local planning authorities’ Development Plan Documents to establish targets for decentralised,

low carbon and renewable energy use in new developments, as well as criteria for determining

to which developments the target will be applied. Crucially, the Policy states that these targets

should be based on an ‘appropriate evidence and viability assessments’. Prior to such targets

being set, the policy states that ‘new non residential developments above a threshold of

1,000m² and all residential developments comprising 10 or more units should secure at least

10% of their predicted energy requirements from decentralised, low carbon and renewable

sources, unless it can be demonstrated by the applicant, having regard to the type of

development involved and its design, that this is not feasible or viable’. The Regional Spatial

Strategy sets out region-wide as well as sub-regional targets for a various forms of renewable

energy generation in 2010, 2015 and 2020. The tables below set out the renewable targets

established for the North West as a whole and Greater Manchester sub-region by energy type.

Renewable Energy Type Indicative Region-wide Targets for Renewable Energy in North West

(including existing schemes)

2010 2015 2020

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

Offshore Wind Farms 3 297 4 747 5 1,347

On-shore wind farms 35 - 51 600 44 - 62 720 44 - 62 720

On-shore wind clusters

Single large wind turbines 30 48 50 75 50 75

Small stand-alone wind turbines 50 1.5 75 2.25 75 2.25

Building-mounted micro-wind

turbines

1,000 1 10,000 10 20,000 20

Biomass-fuelled CHP / electricity

schemes

7 31.1 12 56.1 15 106.1

Biomass co-firing 2 103 0 0 0 0

Anaerobic digestion of farm

biogas

5 10 10 20 15 30

Hydro Power 12 3.5 12 3.5 12 3.5

Solar photovoltaics 1,000 2 25,000 50 50,000 100

Tidal Energy 0 0 2 30 2 30

Wave Energy 0 0 0 0 1 30

Energy from Waste

Landfill Gas 52 113.4 19 79.1 0 0

Sewage Gas 16 13.4 16 13.4 16 13.4

Thermal treatment of municipal /

industrial waste

1 10.5 3 125.5 6 215.5

Table 1. NWRSS Renewable Energy Targets (Region-wide)


Renewable Energy Type Indicative Sub Regional Targets for Renewable Energy in G.

Manchester (including existing schemes) 2010 2015 2020

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

No.

Schemes

Capacity

(MW)

Offshore Wind Farms 0 0 0 0 0 0

On-shore wind farms 5 - 7 90 6 - 8 97.5 6 - 8 97.5

On-shore wind clusters

Single large wind turbines 8 12 14 21 14 21

Small stand-alone wind turbines 12 0.36 18 0.54 18 0.54

Building-mounted micro-wind

turbines

370 0.37 3,700 3.7 7,400 7.4

Biomass-fuelled CHP / electricity

schemes

1 4 2 9 2 9

Biomass co-firing 0 0 0 0 0 0

Anaerobic digestion of farm

biogas

1 2 2 4 3 6

Hydro Power 2 1 2 1 2 1

Solar photovoltaics 370 0.74 9,250 18.5 18,500 37

Tidal Energy 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wave Energy 0 0 0 0 0 0

Energy from Waste

Landfill Gas 13 23.7 2 12 0 0

Sewage Gas 5 8.5 5 8.5 5 8.5

Thermal treatment of municipal /

industrial waste

1 10.5 2 100.5 2 100.5

Table 2. NWRSS Renewable Energy Targets (Greater Manchester)

The 'Mini-Stern for Manchester '5 report assesses the potential economic impact of climate

change legislation on Manchester and the North West and follows the Stern report published in

October 2006. The research was undertaken by Deloitte and commissioned by Manchester

Enterprises (Manchester's Economic Development Agency) and The North West of England

Development Agency

The report states that “unless it achieves significant emissions cuts, improves its resilience to

Climate Change, and leverages its assets, the Manchester City Region could fall substantially

short of its economic regeneration goals and targets”. Deloitte’s calculations suggest that

between 2008 and 2020, a “failure to adapt” scenario could see the North West lose up to £72

billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and the City Region up to £21 billion – which is roughly

£8000 per person in Greater Manchester.

The study identifies opportunities for climate change adaption and mitigation including:

• Development of environmental technologies and services including renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste technologies, green IT and consulting.

• Public sector has the opportunity to ‘lead by example’ in reducing CO2 emissions including taking a collective approach between local authorities to deliver lower carbon energy generation and distribution.

The Manchester Independent Economic Review

6 (MIER) was a ground-breaking piece of

research and analysis published in April 2009 that provides an independent view of the

5 www.neweconomymanchester.com

6 www.manchester-review.org.uk


Manchester City Region economy and its future. Chaired by independent economists and business leaders, the findings from the MIER have been instrumental in shaping Greater Manchester’s policy and Manchester’s policy blueprint for the next ten years, the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS).

The GMS has eleven strategic priorities including development of a low carbon economy which

relates to seizing upon the economic opportunities afforded by central government's

commitments to substantially reduce carbon emissions across the UK.

Announced following the Chancellors pre budget report in December 2009, Greater Manchester

has been designated the UK's first Low Carbon Economic Area (LCEA) for the Built

Environment. The Manchester Built Environment (LCEA) will build on the City-Region's strong

track record in regeneration in the built environment and its world leading university and

research capabilities in the low carbon built environment.

The LCEA will involve a five-year "retrofit" programme, which will be one of the largest

initiatives of this type in the world - improving the insulation of thousands of homes and offices

in Greater Manchester. Small-scale renewable energy technologies will also be installed and

"smart meters" will be introduced so people can see how much energy they are using.

A 'low carbon laboratory' will also be established focusing on the research strengths of the

universities along ‘the Corridor’ - the Oxford Road area of the city - where new innovative

technologies will be developed and tested. One of the most innovative areas of work will be the

development of new finance initiatives such as mortgage products linked to carbon savings.

Initial work on the design of the programme has been carried out by teams from Greater

Manchester's commissions for the Environment and the New Economy alongside those from

government including Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Treasury,

Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Communities and Local

Government.

2.1.3 Local Policy

Stockport’s Local Development Framework (LDF) has a vital role in ensuring future

development is delivered in a sustainable manner and reflects the growth requirements set out

in the North West Plan. The council’s Core Strategy is the most important document within the

LDF, setting out a long-term vision for Stockport over a period of at least 15 years, as well as

spatial objectives and strategic planning policies to guide development in accordance with the

strategic vision and objectives. The Council published Core Strategy Preferred Options

(October 2009) for public consultation between 14 October and 25 November 2009.

The Preferred Options Strategy provides a series of spatial objectives which will shape

development in the Metropolitan Borough over the next fifteen years. Objective 1 commits the

Core Strategy to support, enable and encourage development which is environmentally, socially

and economically sustainable. This will be achieved by, among other things:

• Actively requiring development to contribute to a reduction in the borough's carbon footprint;

• Setting standards for new development in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes, Lifetime Homes and BREEAM;

• Making and enabling the best use of renewable energy resources;

• Promoting the sustainable management of resources, in particular minerals, waste and water.

The Preferred Options Core Strategy outlines how future policy might support the overarching

objectives. Policy Direction 1 indicates that all development will be required to demonstrate


how it will contribute to reducing Stockport’s carbon footprint. In addition, the Core Strategy will

seek to identify and enable opportunities for the development of renewable energy. This

Renewable Energy Study is identified as a component of the evidence base underpinning this

policy direction.

Until such time as the Core Strategy is formally adopted, the Unitary Development Plan (UDP)

Review adopted on 31 May 2006 remains the primary policy framework used to determine

planning applications. Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 policies in the

adopted Stockport UDP Review were saved for three years up until 31st May 2009. The

Council has successfully applied to the Secretary of State to further save all but 9 of the

adopted UDP Review policies beyond this date (until they are superseded or otherwise

demonstrated to be no longer up to date). Further information on the UDP Review is available

at www.stockport.gov.uk/udp.

The UDP Review contains 19 objectives to guide the implementation of the overarching

strategy of delivering an urban renaissance in Stockport. Objective 6 is “to minimise the use of

energy and increase the proportion of energy generated by renewable sources”. Saved Policy

MW3 requires development proposals to demonstrate how they will optimise energy efficiency

and states that non-fossil fuels should be used wherever possible. Saved Policy MW3.1 sets

out eight criteria for determining for renewable energy development, stating the proposals will

be permitted provided that:

• Access for construction traffic can be provided both without danger to highway safety or significant damage to the environment;

• There will be no significant detriment to areas of nature conservation, geological or archaeological interest;

• There will be no unacceptable impact on Landscape Character Areas or visual amenity;

• No significant harm will be caused to the amenities of neighbouring occupiers through noise emission, visual or other impact;

• No unacceptable electromagnetic disturbance will be caused to existing transmitting or receiving systems, or adequate measures will be taken to remedy or mitigate any such disturbance which may be caused;

• There would be no detrimental effect on aircraft safety;

• No unacceptable damage will be caused to the appearance of the area by transmission lines between the development and their point of connection to the Local Electricity Distribution Network;

• Realistic means are put forward for securing the removal of any plant, buildings or structures when they become redundant, and for satisfactory restoration of the site.

Policy MW3.1 also states that In the event that permission(s) for a wind turbine or turbines is

granted and implemented, the Council will have regard to the efficiency of the plant as a

generator of electricity when considering other proposals in the vicinity that could affect local

wind speeds. Policy DCD1.8 on Energy Efficient Design was not saved beyond May 2009,

having been overtaken by changes in national policy and guidance as well as Building

Regulations.

The Council’s Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document is

designed to ensure new development embodies the highest standards of sustainability and

energy efficiency. The SPD contains best practice guidance in relation to the following topics:

• Location & Transport

• Site Layout & Building Design

• Materials

• Waste

• Energy

• Water


• Landscape & Biodiversity

• Health & Wellbeing

• Marketing & Management

The Stockport Council Plan 2009 – 2012 sets out the Council’s priorities over the next three

years. In particular, the Plan establishes Stockport Council’s ambition to be recognised as a

leader in the field of sustainability. This aim is reflected in its choice of indicators and targets

within its Local Area Agreement designed to limit Stockport’s impact on the environment. The

Stockport Local Area Agreement (LAA) sets out baseline figures and annual targets in relation

to a number of key environmental performance indicators. In particular, NI186 measures

percentage reduction in per capita CO2 emissions in the Local Authority area from 2005

baseline year. The LAA sets reduction targets of 6.3% for 2008/09, 8.4% for 2009/10 and

10.5% for 2010/11 on the 2005 baseline figure of 6.0 tonnes in the borough.

The Stockport Partnership, the borough’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has produced a

draft Climate Change Strategy for Stockport. The Strategy contains a series of actions for

reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as measures and targets for each action. These

actions relate to the following themes:

• Planning and Development

• Domestic Energy Efficiency

• Waste

• Road Transport

• Aviation

• Business

• Public Sector Estates

2.1.4 Building regulations and the trajectory to zero carbon

The Building Regulations first started to turn its focus towards reducing CO2 emissions in the

2002 revision to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power). Further revisions to Part L in 2006

brought the UK Building Regulations in line with the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings

Directive (EPBD), introducing amongst other things the requirement for Energy Performance

Certificates (EPCs). The current 2006 Building Regulations Part L requires that CO2 emissions

calculated for a new development should be equal to or less than a Target Emission Rate. This

is generally in the region of 20 to 28% lower than CO2 emissions from a building which

complies with the 2002 Building Regulations, depending on the specific building type.

A key requirement of the EPBD has been the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates

(EPCs). An EPC provides an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance

potential of the building itself (the fabric) and its services (such as heating, ventilation and

lighting). The energy rating given on the certificate reflects the intrinsic energy performance

standard of the building relative to a benchmark which can then be used to make comparison to

comparable buildings. An EPC is only required for a building when it is constructed, sold or let.

The certificate comprises of a rating from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very

inefficient. The certificate will also show a score from 1 to 150+. The lower the score, the lower

the typical CO2 emissions. The rating is adjusted for the total floor area of the building so that it

is independent of the size for a given building type.

Following consultation, the Government's Building A Greener Future: Policy Statement

announced in July 2007 that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016. In the Budget 2008,

the Government also announced its ambition that all new non-residential buildings should be

zero carbon from 2019 (with earlier targets for schools and other public buildings). The


Government has also indicated that non-residential buildings will be required to be zero carbon

by 2019, again implemented through the Building Regulations.

The Definition of Zero Carbon Homes and Non-Residential Buildings consultation in 2009

sought to clarify the definition of zero carbon that will be applied to new homes and buildings

through proposed changes to the Building Regulations. A statement by John Healey, Minister

for Housing and Planning, in July 2009 confirmed the policy to require all new homes to be zero

carbon by 2016 and set out the proposals which will be taken forward to implement this policy.

This addressed the concern that the original definition, which followed the definition of Code for

Sustainable Homes Level 6, would not be feasible or viable on many sites.

Prior to the introduction of the zero carbon requirement, the following intermediary step

changes are proposed to the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations for dwellings:

• 2010: 25% improvement in regulated emissions (relative to 2006 levels). This is expected to broadly correspond to the energy and CO2 element of Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. The changes are being discussed as part of a current government consultation.

• 2013: 44% improvement in regulated emissions (relative to 2006 levels), corresponding to Code Level 4

• 2016: Zero carbon in terms of both regulated and unregulated emissions

The figure below illustrates the planned changes in the Building Regulations requirements for

dwelling emission rates. One of the key points is that the requirements in 2010 and 2013 will

only apply to the emissions that are currently regulated, which are associated with energy use

for fixed building services (heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting) inside the dwelling. From

2016, the requirements will apply to all emissions associated with energy use in the dwelling,

including cooking and other appliances.

Figure 4. Incremental changes to Building Regulations Part L requirements for dwelling emission rates

The Government has published a hierarchy for how CO2 emissions should be reduced to

achieve the zero carbon emissions standard, as in the figure below.

Relative emissions rates to 2016

-100%

-44%-25%

2006 2010 2013 2016

Em

issio

ns r

ate

s

unregulated emissions regulated emissions

AECOM

Figure 5. The Government’s hierarchy for reducing CO

Developments will not be required to achieve zero carbon emiss

boundary. There will be a minimum requirement for emissions savings through energy efficient

design of the building services and building fabric; the amount is to be determined by the

Government by the end of 2009. Further mea

compliance” on-site, bringing the regulated emissions savings on

These can include building integrated renewable energy, additional energy efficiency features

and connection to a heat net

The residual CO2 emissions beyond carbon compliance are to be dealt with through “allowable

solutions”. Likely allowable solutions include:

• Further CO2 reductions on site;

• Energy efficient appliances;

• Advanced forms of building control system whihome;

• Exports of low carbon or renewable heat from the development to other developments; or

• Investments in low and zero carbon community heat infrastructure.

Other allowable solutions remain under consideration. A

expected at the end of 2009. Currently, it is undecided who will coordinate and deliver allowable

solutions, though Local

the effect of allowable solu


. The Government’s hierarchy for reducing CO2 emissions

Developments will not be required to achieve zero carbon emissions entirely within the site



Government by the end of 2009. Further measures will be required to achieve “carbon

site, bringing the regulated emissions savings on-site up to 70% of the TER.


and connection to a heat network.

emissions beyond carbon compliance are to be dealt with through “allowable

solutions”. Likely allowable solutions include:

reductions on site;

Energy efficient appliances;

Advanced forms of building control system which reduce the level of energy use in the

Exports of low carbon or renewable heat from the development to other developments;

Investments in low and zero carbon community heat infrastructure.

Other allowable solutions remain under consideration. A final Government announcement is


ocal Planning Authorities are expected to play a role and should account for

the effect of allowable solutions in planning.

28

ions entirely within the site



sures will be required to achieve “carbon

site up to 70% of the TER.


emissions beyond carbon compliance are to be dealt with through “allowable

ch reduce the level of energy use in the

Exports of low carbon or renewable heat from the development to other developments;

Investments in low and zero carbon community heat infrastructure.

final Government announcement is


s are expected to play a role and should account for


2.2 Existing Building Stock - Profiles

2.2.1 Residential

There are several sources of information available which help us to analyse the state of existing

housing stock in the Local Planning Authority areas (LPA). The Department of Energy and

Climate Change (DECC) provides a national data set of energy use of residential buildings

within each LPA area. Information is also available from Housing Condition Surveys (where

available) and through reporting under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. This study

has reviewed the following reports:

• Department for Climate Change Energy Statistics (online www.decc.gov.uk)

• Neighbourhood Statistics, Office of National Statistics (ONS) (online www.statistics.gov.uk)

• Stockport House Conditions Survey Energy Efficiency and HECA 2008 Report

• Home Energy Conservation Act – 12th Progress Report (2008)

• English House Condition Survey 2007, DCLG

• Stockport MBC – Energy Efficiency, Annual Report 2008 – 2009

• Stockport MBC – Energy Efficiency, Quarter 1 Progress Briefing Report 2009 – 2010

• Stockport MBC – Annual Monitoring Report (AMR), 2008/09

• Stockport MBC – Private Sector House Condition Survey

• Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) – national summary tables for Local Authorities (2001-2007)

There were over 125,000 homes in Stockport at the time of the last Census (2001) and the

majority are owner-occupied (Table 3). Most of the socially rented housing is owned by

Stockport Council and managed by an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) called

Stockport Homes.

Housing Tenure Number of households Proportion

Owned 93,643 78%

Social rented 17,057 14%

Private rented/other 9,746 8%

Total 120,456 100%

Table 3: Housing Stock in Stockport by Tenure (Source: Office of National Statistics, based on the 2001 census)

AECOM

The majority of dwellings in the area are semi

Figure 6: Housing stock by type

By comparison to the breakdown of housing type in England as a whole, Stockport has fewer

terraced houses and flats, with more semi detached houses. The percentage of detached

houses is similar to the

Housing Type

Terrace

Semi Detached

Detached

Flat

Total

Table 4. Housing stock by type

Table 5 shows the age of housing ion Stockport, as detailed in a 2008 House Condition Survey

for Stockport.

Housing Age

Pre 1919

1919 – 1944

1945 – 1964

Post 1964

Total

Table 5. Housing stock by age


The majority of dwellings in the area are semi-detached (Figure 6).

: Housing stock by type in Stockport (Source: Office of National Statistics, 2001 Census)



houses is similar to the UK as a whole (Table 4).

Stockport North West England

22% 32% 26%

42% 37% 32%

21% 18% 23%

12% 14% 20%

100% 100% 100%

. Housing stock by type (Source: Office of National Statistics, 2001 Census)

shows the age of housing ion Stockport, as detailed in a 2008 House Condition Survey

Stockport

20.1%

24.7%

21.0%

34.1%

100%

. Housing stock by age (Source: Stockport MBC House Condition Survey, 2008)

30

(Source: Office of National Statistics, 2001 Census)



shows the age of housing ion Stockport, as detailed in a 2008 House Condition Survey


2.2.2 Non-residential

The split of commercial and industrial building types (by floor area) is broadly consistent with

the average across England (Table 6).

Commercial and industrial buildings by floor

area

Stockport North West England

Retail 18% 15% 15%

Offices 14% 12% 15%

Commercial offices 12% 10% 12%

‘Other’ offices 2% 2% 2%

Factories 29% 22% 29%

Warehouses 23% 25% 23%

Other (Garden centres, halls, social clubs etc) 3% 3% 3%

Total 100% 100% 100%

Table 6. Commercial and industrial building split by floor area (Source: Office of National Statistics, April 2008)

Stockport Town Centre is the borough’s principal commercial area, with a covered market hall

and two superstores located at its heart. Branches of most high-street shops are located at

Merseyway Shopping Centre, independents cluster around the Underbanks and the Peel

Centre (retail park) lies to the east. A Tesco superstore is located to the north of the Town

Centre, as is Manchester Road retail park, and two non-food retail warehouses around Georges

Road. Other out-of-centre retail concentrations include a department store and a superstore at

a site in Cheadle Hulme, non-food retail warehouses and a superstore at Cheadle Heath and

non-food retail wareh