Housing Developer, Jones Homes, has a long association with the Isle of Sheppey, achieving planning permission for a number of new developments on the island. Its latest development of 199 new homes forms parcels D, E and F at Harps Farm in an area known as Thistle Hill, Minster-on-Sea, Sheppey.
Part L demands
Part L is a Building Regulation that sets the standards for the energy performance and carbon emissions of new and existing buildings. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) recently announced major changes to the Building Regulations which lays the groundwork for the Government’s Future Homes and Buildings Standard which comes into force in 2025. Under Part L, from June 2022, all new homes must produce around 30% less in carbon emissions. This is seen as the first major step in the Government’s aim to cut carbon emissions and hit its net zero climate targets by 2025.
The reduction in carbon emissions will be achieved using a fabric-first approach and the use of carbon saving technologies, i.e., the addition of PV panels or air source heat pumps.
Under Part L a new home must be built to a minimum standard of total energy performance. This is evaluated by comparing calculations of the performance of the actual dwelling against calculations of the performance of a theoretical dwelling called the ‘notional’ dwelling. This ‘notional’ dwelling provides planners with a Target Emission Rate (TER). The Dwelling Emission rate (DER) which is the calculation for the carbon from the new building must be lower than the TER for compliance to be met. This provides a minimum standard for the performance of the new building. These calculations have to be carried out at both the design stage and when work is complete.
The project: a closer look
Local planning policies for Swale are geared around the delivery of sustainable developments in the area. For that reason, sustainable design and construction are promoted, as well as the use of renewable energy, natural resources and the management of emissions. Green infrastructure that enhances the local environment and manages flood risk is, therefore, at the heart of local policy and sets the standard for buildings created in Swale.
Whitecode was appointed for this project as a result of its previous work with the client DHA. Associate Director at Whitecode Consulting, Ellen Huelin, also ran a seminar for DHA explaining Whitecode Consulting’s various specialisms, demonstrating to them that it is one of the leading providers of sustainable and environmental solutions in the construction industry. Ellen herself has more than 15 years’ experience as a sustainability consultant.
Whitecode was delighted to be appointed to produce an energy and sustainability report to ensure that this new housing scheme is sustainable, future proof and compliant with the necessary local and regional policies regarding reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions.
A key part of this service involved Whitecode carrying out SAP calculations for a selection of dwellings to obtain estimated energy use and CO2 emissions. These calculations would be vital in demonstrating the energy and CO2 reductions.
Once the calculations had been taken, Whitecode’s team of experts were able to produce an energy sustainability report. The report identified that the proposed Sheppey development will achieve a 3.2% improvement in the weighted average carbon emissions, as well as a 19.9% reduction in fabric energy efficiency, meeting the requirements of local planning.
The delivery and production of Whitecode’s report will, therefore, ensure that on completion this striking development in Swale is Part L compliant and will perform efficiently and sustainably for years to come.
