Energy Statement for Planning: Do I Need One?

An Energy Statement for planning is a technical document, prepared at the design stage, that sets out a development’s projected energy use, expected carbon emissions and the measures proposed to meet a Local Planning Authority’s decarbonisation targets. It’s a distinct document from a Sustainability Statement, which covers the wider environmental picture beyond energy alone – more on that distinction below.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

• The key role an Energy Statement plays in the planning process for new developments
• Who typically requires one and the common reasons why
• The benefits of commissioning a comprehensive Energy Statement
• The typical contents and what key details it outlines
• Key considerations for preparing a successful Energy Statement

What is an Energy Statement for Planning?

It’s important not to confuse an Energy Statement with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC assesses a building’s energy efficiency after construction; an Energy Statement is forward-looking, prepared during the planning phase to demonstrate that a proposed development meets sustainable building requirements before a single brick is laid.

An Energy Statement is a technical document specific to the planning phase, detailing:

• Projected Energy Consumption: a forecast of the building’s anticipated energy demand for heating, cooling, lighting and other operational uses.
• Anticipated Carbon Emissions: the expected carbon emissions associated with the projected energy use.
• Energy Efficiency Strategies: concrete plans and methodologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce the building’s environmental impact.
• Renewable Energy Integration: an assessment of the potential for incorporating on-site renewable energy sources.

How Does This Differ From a Sustainability Statement?

The two terms get used interchangeably in practice, but they’re not quite the same document. An Energy Statement focuses specifically on energy demand, carbon emissions and the renewable technologies used to meet a council’s targets. A Sustainability Statement is the broader document – it covers the same energy and carbon ground, but also addresses water efficiency, drainage, material sourcing, biodiversity and construction waste. Many Local Planning Authorities request them as a single combined report, but where they’re requested separately, it’s worth understanding which one you actually need. Our companion guide sets out what a Sustainability Statement covers and when you need one in more detail.

Local Planning Authority Sustainability Targets

When planning a new construction project, whether it’s a residential complex or a commercial venue, including an Energy Statement with the initial planning documents is often mandatory. These are submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), such as Bristol City Council. Requirements vary significantly between jurisdictions, so it’s essential to check the specific carbon emission reduction targets and renewable energy goals set by your LPA before you start modelling.

In our Sustainability & Energy Statements, we set out the planning policy context up front – National, Regional and Local – so your energy strategy is aligned with every relevant framework and target from the outset, rather than discovering a gap partway through the application.

LPAs typically expect developments to reduce carbon emissions or energy consumption by 10%, 15% or more beyond what national Building Regulations require. The Greater London Authority, for example, has set requirements exceeding these common thresholds since 2016 – a useful reminder of how much regional variation there can be.

Do I Need an Energy Statement?

If you’re a property developer, architect, building contractor or commercial or residential developer working on a new build or a major refurbishment or extension, you will very likely need one. Beyond simply being a requirement, an Energy Statement offers real practical advantages:

1. Securing planning permission

Energy Statements are often a non-negotiable prerequisite for planning permission. They provide concrete evidence that a proposed development meets the energy efficiency and sustainability criteria set by local planning policy, which meaningfully increases the likelihood of approval. Without one, an application can face delays or rejection.

2. Demonstrating regulatory compliance

With tightening building regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions, an Energy Statement evidences compliance with Building Regulations Part L (Conservation of Fuel & Power), detailing precisely how the development meets or exceeds these requirements.

3. Supporting sustainability goals

For developers, architects and planners aiming to embed genuinely sustainable design from the outset, an Energy Statement provides the framework for reducing carbon footprints, using renewable energy effectively and minimising environmental impact.

4. Qualifying for green building certifications

An Energy Statement can support certification under schemes like BREEAM or NABERS UK – increasingly sought after for the marketability and value they add to a building.

5. Improving energy efficiency and reducing running costs

The Statement identifies specific opportunities to improve performance from design through to operation – high-efficiency HVAC, enhanced insulation and glazing, LED lighting, smart controls – leading to long-term savings alongside the environmental benefit.

A 19–20 dwelling greenfield site in South Gloucestershire, targeting Policy PSP6’s 20% CO₂ reduction requirement through a fabric-first and renewables strategy – comfortably exceeded, at 59.63% against the 20% minimum:

Building Compliance Sustainability Statements & Energy Strategy SAP Calculations

Cotswold Homes, Engine Common: A Combined Fabric and Renewables Strategy for New Build Carbon Compliance

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Considerations When Preparing an Energy Statement for Planning

Producing a high-quality Energy Statement combines technical analysis, regulatory knowledge and strategic planning – which is exactly why it’s worth engaging experienced professionals rather than treating it as a paperwork exercise.

1. Data collection and accuracy

Gathering accurate, comprehensive data on the proposed design, materials and operational characteristics is the foundation for everything that follows. This can be genuinely difficult without expert guidance, particularly at early design stages or on unconventional projects.

2. Alignment with local regulations

The statement must comply with national Building Regulations and align with the specific targets set by the relevant Local Planning Authority – targets that vary significantly by region.

3. Balancing cost against performance

Striking the right balance between the upfront cost of efficiency measures and their long-term savings is rarely straightforward, especially where initial construction costs are already under pressure. Modelling helps identify which measures deliver the most impact for the investment.

What’s Next?

An Energy Statement is more than a planning requirement – it’s the evidence base that lets a project’s energy strategy stand up to scrutiny from a climate officer, not just a checklist item at submission. Getting it right early avoids the more expensive alternative: redesigning after a planning objection.

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Sustainability Statements & Energy Strategy

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We prepare Energy Statements and Sustainability Statements for residential and commercial developments across the South West and beyond, working directly with architects, housebuilders and planning consultants.