Energy Statements are now a standard requirement for planning applications, but all too often, they are set aside as a formality for the later stages, rather than being an important part of the strategy from the outset.
Adopt that approach and that’s where your problems will begin.
Fundamentally, an Energy Statement exists to demonstrate that a new development will align with national and local energy and carbon policies. It provides planners with a clear, auditable explanation of how a scheme will meet regulatory requirements, while contributing to wider climate objectives. But there is far more to it than that: it can shape the viability of a project.
The challenge is timing. Often developers only engage with their energy strategies once a planning submission is underway, or worse still, once planning conditions have been applied. By that point, the flexibility of the scheme will be limited and costs will be harder to control.
That’s why early-stage input is critical.
Early stage engagement is often the difference between a scheme that will flow smoothly through planning, and one that will jam up, due to further negotiations or prescriptive, unreasonable planning conditions.
As the project progresses, the level of detail will increase. A more detailed Energy Statement will be required to demonstrate compliance through formal calculations, typically showing how the proposed scheme will perform against Part L of the Building Regulations, and how much carbon improvement will be achieved. At this stage, the focus will shift to evidence, quantifying savings, confirming specifications, and ensuring that everything will stand up to scrutiny.
That’s why BTS adopts a joined-up approach. We combine early strategic advice with detailed technical reporting later on. The aim of our work is not just to demonstrate compliance but also to help shape a scheme that will align with policy and be deliverable, to achieve the best possible outcome for our client.
We also support developers from the outset by providing ‘planning ready’ energy strategies. These are grounded in policy but balanced against cost and buildability and co-ordinated with development heating strategies and network connections. By reviewing energy requirements early on, potential risks are identified, whether these are an overly ambitious local policy, the likelihood of carbon offset payments, or a heating strategy that may not be viable in practice.
