Energy Statements

An energy statement for planning outlines how a proposed development will meet the energy efficiency standards set by your local planning authority. Covering building materials, heating systems, insulation, airtightness, and renewable technologies, an energy statement demonstrates that your project delivers the required carbon emission reductions. UK Building Compliance produces comprehensive energy statements from £350, helping you secure planning approval with confidence.

What Is an Energy Statement?

An energy statement for planning is a technical document that describes all aspects of a development's energy efficiency strategy. It details the building fabric specification, heating and hot water systems, ventilation approach, lighting, and any renewable energy technologies — demonstrating how these elements combine to meet the carbon reduction targets required by your local planning authority.

Energy statements are most commonly associated with the London Plan, which requires developments to achieve a minimum 35% reduction in carbon emissions beyond the baseline set by Part L of the Building Regulations. However, any local authority in the UK may request an energy statement as a planning condition, particularly for developments on greenbelt land or in areas with strict planning policies.

The statement is supported by data from your SAP calculations (for dwellings) or SBEM calculations (for commercial buildings) and provides the planning authority with clear evidence that your proposed development meets its energy and sustainability requirements.

Why Do You Need an Energy Statement for Planning?

Many local authorities require an energy statement as a condition of planning approval. Without a compliant energy statement, your planning application may be refused or delayed. The document provides the evidence base that planning officers need to assess whether your development meets local energy and sustainability policies.

In London, the energy statement is a mandatory component of major planning applications under the London Plan. Each London borough may also have its own interpretation of the requirements, with many setting targets that go beyond the standard 35% carbon reduction. Outside London, local authorities in areas with adopted sustainability policies may similarly require energy statements for developments of a certain size.

Commissioning your energy statement early in the design process ensures that the energy strategy is embedded in your plans from the outset. This avoids the risk of receiving planning conditions that require costly redesigns or the retrospective addition of renewable technologies.

Our Energy Statement Process

UK Building Compliance produces detailed, professionally written energy statements tailored to the specific requirements of your local planning authority.

1. Requirements review — We confirm the specific energy and sustainability policies that apply to your development, including any borough-level requirements beyond the standard London Plan or national planning policy targets.
2. Design analysis — We review your architectural drawings and specifications to understand the building fabric, heating systems, ventilation strategy, and any proposed renewable technologies.
3. Carbon reduction assessment — Using data from SAP or SBEM calculations, we quantify the carbon emission reductions achieved by each element of the energy strategy, demonstrating how the development meets or exceeds the required targets.
4. Renewable energy options — We outline the sustainable materials and renewable energy technologies considered, including solar PV, heat pumps, and other low-carbon solutions, with estimates of their contribution to carbon reduction.
5. Report production — We produce a comprehensive energy statement suitable for submission with your planning application, clearly demonstrating compliance with the relevant energy policies.

What's Included

• Comprehensive energy statement tailored to your local authority's requirements
• Carbon reduction analysis based on SAP or SBEM data
• Assessment of building fabric, heating, ventilation, and lighting strategies
• Renewable energy options appraisal with projected carbon savings
• Compliance demonstration against London Plan or local sustainability policies
• Expert advice on improving the sustainability of your design
• Liaison with local planning authorities regarding their specific requirements
• Guide pricing from £350

Who Needs an Energy Statement?

Energy statements are required or recommended for a range of development scenarios:

• London Plan developments — All major developments in London require an energy statement demonstrating a minimum 35% carbon reduction, with many boroughs requiring higher targets. See our dedicated London Plan page for details.
• Planning applications with sustainability conditions — Many local authorities outside London require energy statements for larger developments or sites with specific planning policies.
• Greenbelt developments — Local authorities may require enhanced sustainability evidence for developments on greenbelt or sensitive land.
• Developments seeking planning advantages — Demonstrating strong sustainability credentials through a comprehensive energy statement can support planning applications and help differentiate your scheme.

Developers, architects, planning consultants, and housebuilders all benefit from professionally produced energy statements to support their planning applications.

Why Choose UK Building Compliance?

UK Building Compliance has extensive experience producing energy statements for planning applications across the UK, from single dwellings to large multi-unit schemes. Our team has expert knowledge of the London Plan, borough-specific requirements, and local authority sustainability policies nationwide.

We offer a complete service from initial policy review through to final report production, including liaison with your local planning authority to confirm their exact requirements. Our energy statements are supported by accurate SAP or SBEM calculations and can be combined with sustainability statements, overheating assessments, and water efficiency calculations for a comprehensive planning compliance package.

Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, we provide nationwide coverage with competitive pricing from £350. Call us on 01455 242297 for a free quote.