Object

Representation ID: 7504

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Wing Parish Council

We support the principle of reducing energy consumption in existing buildings but we know from the experience of residents of Wing (which has many older and listed buildings) that this is often far from easy. There can be severe technical difficulties in retrofitting old buildings to use new energy sources, apart from planning issues which require clear policies to balance conservation and energy efficiency.

Support for principle of Policy CC7 noted. It does seek to balance the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures on/in historic buildings whilst still consistent with protecting such heritage assets as required under national planning policy and other policies of the Local Plan.

Support

Representation ID: 7644

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Robert Bolton

Solar should be a mandatory requirement for all new dwellings and industrial buildings, and further encouraged on domestic, industrial and commercial buildings to facilitate green energy and protect our food security and maintain the Rutland countryside for future generations.

This would encourage a huge uptake and rollout of solar, benefitting local businesses with no detrimental implications or negative impacts.

Support noted. Policy CC7 covers existing buildings. The policy is positively worded (‘will be expected’) with regards to retrofitting of micro-renewables (that would include solar panels) on existing buildings. Such an approach can, however, only be applied when a development proposal, that requires planning permission, for an existing building comes forward. It would be the role of the Council through its own initiatives and other organisations, potentially through grant schemes, to actively promote the retrofitting of solar panels. Renewable energy generation on new dwellings is covered by Policies CC2 and CC4. It would not be appropriate to mandatorily require all new dwellings to have solar panels through a prescriptive local plan policy as there are a number of factors that would need to be taken into account such as location, efficiency, viability and whether other forms of renewable energy are more appropriate. Such provision is, however, supported and encouraged in policy documents such as the NPPF and PPG, the National Design Guide (2021), Design Guidelines for Rutland (2021) and Policies CC2 and CC4 seeks to maximise energy generation from on-site renewable sources.

Object

Representation ID: 7671

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: South Luffenham Parish Council

Agree in principle but the cost of fabric first energy reduction could make the extension not cost effective.

The policy is flexibly worded (‘are expected where possible’) rather than mandatorily requiring the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures and it is acknowledged that many small extensions/alterations to dwellings all outside the scope of the policy as they would not require planning permission. There is no evidence to suggest that the policy would deter home improvements, and there are already a number of industry standards/targets relating to energy efficiency measures in place that have been and are currently applicable.

Object

Representation ID: 7788

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Edith Weston Parish Council

For Policy CC7, we suggest the paragraph is re-worded to be compatible with Chapter 16 of the NPPF.

We would like to see a greater emphasis on other forms of energy, rather than solely on electric models of transport, and more linkage with use of public transport.

We would also welcome more clarity on term of how this policy will be delivered and measured.

Comments noted. We consider that Policy CC7 is compatible with Chapter 16 of the NPPF. The accompanying text provides detail of the guidance and best practice for successful retrofitting of energy efficiency measures in existing and historic buildings.

Object

Representation ID: 7824

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

It is accepted that current government policy on EPCs is as reflected here, but it is also the case that EPCs
in practice relate more to energy cost than energy performance, such that some changes or new measures
recommended to improve energy performance actually have the effect of making the EPC rating worse. There is talk of reviewing EPCs and the plan should perhaps note this possible future revision and not place too much reliance on the current EPC regime.

Comments noted regarding EPC rating. Reference to EPC rating is not set out in the Policy itself but is referenced in the supporting text. The text also sets out the Council’s intention to bring forward supplementary guidance on energy efficiency with regarding to retrofitting existing buildings. Regarding setting of efficiency targets, such as EPC rating, it is intended that further work to update the cost evidence for a number of options for the wording of CC7 will be undertaken to inform the next stage of the local plan. This will build on the Whole Plan Viability Assessment (2023). Any changes to the draft policies arising from consultation responses and/or new evidence on climate change will be consulted on through the Reg 19 consultation.

Support

Representation ID: 7878

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

CC7 Reducing Energy Consumption in Existing Buildings – Support

Support noted.