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London Plan 'pushes builders to be greener'
30/12/09
The London Plan has encouraged builders and developers to go far beyond the minimum requirements included in the Building Regulations for cutting carbon emissions when submitting schemes for approval by the capital's mayor, according to a new report. In a study commissioned by the Greater London Authority, London South Bank University found the average carbon reduction secured from developers under the strategic planning guidance has risen from 29 per cent above Building Regulations requirements in 2006 to 34 per cent by mid-2009.
This is based on a sample of half the major planning applications referred to mayor Boris Johnson for approval, which included schemes with more than 150 homes, tall buildings or large-scale retail, industrial or office projects.
Most of the energy savings came from the use of passive heating and lighting, low-carbon energy sources and on-site renewables.
The study praised the London Plan for its flexibility in how to achieve carbon reductions, which has enabled developers to choose the solutions most appropriate for their sites.
It added that the replacement London Plan for 2010-2013, which was published in October, will drive the development of more green houses, as it proposes a target of cutting carbon emissions by 44 per cent for new developments.
