New online tool ensures developments are energy efficient
A WARWICKSHIRE engineering consultancy in collaboration with the Carbon Trust and some of the region’s local authorities has helped develop an online tool calculating the CO2 emissions and energy consumption of new developments.
Leamington Spa-based Encraft, together with planning officers from Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire and the carbon reduction agency, are hoping the tool will be used by council planning departments, developers and other individuals.
Enplanner, as the new tool is called, was launched at the Ecobuild exhibition in London. The impetus for the tool has come from the need to identify the carbon footprint and energy consumption of new developments to ensure they comply with local planning policies.
Many local authorities have adopted the Merton rule, which requires new developments to generate at least 10% of their energy needs from on-site renewable energy technologies. These policies are being implemented to ensure the UK meets its climate change obligations under various international treaties and the UK Climate Change Act.
The interactive toolkit allows planning applicants to enter details of their proposed development at any location in Britain. Any size of development can be included. These can vary from a simple home extension right up to a whole housing or industrial estate. The Enplanner toolkit then automatically measures the development against that local authority’s relevant policies in this field.
Subscribers pay £36 for the service and to produce an energy statement, but the first phase of the process is free.
Matthew Rhodes, managing director of Encraft, said: “The planning system is such a critical part of the construction process we were delighted to be asked to produce this tool for the Carbon Trust and have high hopes that it will quickly become the standard across all planning authorities in England and Wales.”
Simon Helmer, Buildings Advice Manager at the Carbon Trust, said: “We believe Enplanner can have a significant impact on the success of policies that use the planning system to encourage carbon reduction.”
