What Is The London Plan?

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The London Plan UKBC

What You Need To Know About The London Plan

So – what is The London Plan, and is it different from other planning regulations? In summary, the Plan is Greater London’s sustainability strategy. It is a comprehensive document which covers all aspects of planning, building and the environmental impact of developments. The three point strategy of The London Plan is “be lean, be clean, be green”. Subsequently, each Greater London borough has a degree of flexibility in terms of how they interpret the plan, with many going over and above the standard requirements. Therefore, when planning a development in the Greater London area, developers have to show they are meeting these requirements. The most important of these is reducing the Dwelling/Building Emissions Rate (DER or BER) by at least 35%.

Your local authority may require (but not limited to) the following:  

  • Complete design stage SAP Calculations or SBEM Calculations
  • An Energy Statement demonstrating how the 35% reduction is reached
  • Water Consumption Statement
  • Waste Management Statement

Why Do I Need To Comply With The London Plan?

First introduced in 2004, TLP has been updated several times, most recently in January 2017. The government will enforce these rules until 2036. Most importantly, if you do not comply with the rules set out in The London Plan, the local authority will not grant planning permission. Therefore, there are several benefits of following the sustainability targets set out by TLP. For instance, if you prove your building is carbon neutral from the outset, you will not have to pay carbon offset fees in the future.

How Can We Help At UKBC?

UKBC can offer expert advice across all aspects of The Building Regulations and sustainability codes. With UKBC, you can be sure you have the best possible support to make sure your project follows The London Plan. We offer a complete list of services to make sure your project meets The London Plan’s “be lean, be clean, be green” three point plan. These services include:

  • Undertaking SAP Calculations or SBEM Calculations.
  • Recommendations as to how you can make your building “lean” by using sustainable building materials.
  • Advice as to how you can make your building “cleaner” by using highly efficient energy systems.
  • Finally, we can give guidance about how to make your building carbon neutral, as part of The London Plan’s strategy to make buildings “greener”.

When Should The Report Be Carried Out?

You will need to show your local planning committee that your project meets the requirements of The London Plan before work commences. For instance, if the local authority requires an energy statement, you will have to produce the document before they grant full planning permission.

How Long Will It Take?

UKBC can generally deliver the documents required within 5–10 working days. However, this can be longer depending on the scope of the project.

What Happens If My Planning Application Is Rejected?

At UKBC, we will do our best to provide you with the most comprehensive support and advice to make sure your planning application is successful. Therefore, with our in-depth knowledge of sustainability codes, your project is in the best possible hands. However, should your project not comply with The London Plan, we can offer consultation on how to improve.

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