Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 58734
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Wates Developments Ltd
Agent: Boyer Planning
Policy will require residential developments of 150 homes or more to calculate whole life carbon emissions through a nationally recognised Whole Life Carbon Assessment and demonstrate actions to reduce life-cycle emissions.
Principle of this Policy is not necessarily disputed, and it is supported that the First Proposals include reference to climate change.
We note in Viability Assessment that a “net zero carbon cost has been explicitly included in the appraisals” and this is welcomed. It is understood that the additional costs included allow for installation of a heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and photovoltaics, with the costs allowed for as follows:
• Semi-detached house: £12,880 (10% increase on cost);
• Mid-terrace: £13,985 (13% increase on cost);
• Flats: £7,568 – based on 40 flats (5% increase on cost).
Unclear whether in all instances installation of a heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and photovoltaics will be sufficient to demonstrate a net zero carbon cost as this will vary from development to development, and therefore whether sufficient cost.
This policy will require residential developments of 150 homes or more to calculate whole life carbon emissions through a nationally recognised Whole Life Carbon Assessment and demonstrate actions to reduce life-cycle emissions.
The principle of this Policy is not necessarily disputed, and it is supported that the First Proposals include reference to climate change.
We note that a net zero carbon cost has been explicitly included in the appraisals and this is welcomed. It is understood that the additional costs included allow for installation of a heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and photovoltaics, with the costs allowed for as follows:
• Semi-detached house: £12,880 (10% increase on cost);
• Mid-terrace: £13,985 (13% increase on cost);
• Flats: £7,568 – based on 40 flats (5% increase on cost).
It is unclear whether in all instances installation of a heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and photovoltaics will be sufficient to demonstrate a net zero carbon cost as this will vary from development to development, and therefore whether sufficient cost has been allowed for through the viability study to accommodate for this Policy requirement.