Energy Statements – Overview for Planning Compliance
An Energy Statement is a key document submitted as part of the planning application process to demonstrate how a proposed development will meet local and national energy and carbon reduction policies. It sets out a clear strategy for reducing energy demand, improving efficiency, and minimising carbon emissions.
Energy Statements are typically required by local planning authorities, particularly for major developments, and are assessed alongside other planning documents.
practical energy efficiency and sustainability goals with confidence.
What is an Energy Statement
An Energy Statement outlines the expected energy performance of a development and explains the measures incorporated to achieve policy compliance. It follows a structured approach to reducing carbon emissions, often aligned with the energy hierarchy:
- Be Lean – Reduce energy demand through efficient design (e.g. fabric performance, orientation, passive design)
- Be Clean – Supply energy efficiently (e.g. district heating, efficient plant)
- Be Green – Use renewable energy technologies (e.g. solar PV, heat pumps)
The statement quantifies carbon emissions at each stage and demonstrates how the development improves on baseline requirements.
Key Components of an Energy Statement
- Development overview and energy strategy
- Baseline energy demand and carbon emissions
- Fabric and energy efficiency measures
- Building services strategy (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting)
- Low and zero carbon (LZC) technology assessment
- Predicted carbon savings against policy targets
- Compliance with local planning policies and targets
- Summary of overall energy performance
Assessment Process
1. Initial Assessment (Design Stage)
At the early design stage, energy modelling is carried out (typically using SAP for residential or SBEM for non-domestic elements) to establish baseline performance and test improvement measures.
This stage is used to:
• Develop a compliant energy strategy
• Evaluate design options and technologies
• Ensure alignment with planning policy requirements
2. Submission with Planning Application
The Energy Statement is submitted as part of the planning package, clearly demonstrating how the proposed development meets or exceeds local carbon reduction targets.
This may include:
• Percentage improvement over Building Regulations
• On-site renewable energy contribution
• Consideration of site-wide or district energy solutions
3. Post-Planning / Detailed Design
Following planning approval, the energy strategy is refined as the design develops. The agreed measures are then carried forward into detailed SAP or SBEM calculations for Building Regulations compliance
Why it Matters
Energy Statements are essential for:
- Securing planning approval
- Demonstrating commitment to sustainability
- Reducing long-term energy use and carbon emissions
- Aligning developments with local and national net zero goals
They also provide a clear roadmap for delivering energy performance targets throughout the project lifecycle.
Our Approach
We produce clear, policy-compliant Energy Statements that are tailored to each development and local authority. By engaging early in the design process, we help shape an efficient, buildable energy strategy that meets planning requirements while remaining practical and cost-effective to deliver.
If your Planning Officer requires an Energy Statement as part of your Commercial Planning Application, Complete Energy Consultancy can help. An Energy Statement from Complete Energy Consultancy will show how the predicted CO2 emissions from your development can be reduced through the on-site generation of renewable energy. Using site information weâ„¢ll tell you which renewables will work for you and how much emissions might be reduced. This Report complies with the latest Regulations and demonstrates the predicted energy usage in an easy-to-understand way which your Planning Officer will readily accept.
Complete Energy Consultancy can produce detailed Energy Statements showing which renewables have been considered and the overall reduction in carbon emissions and energy savings delivered if renewables were to be installed.
Energy Statements
Acoustic testing
As trusted experts in Part E Sound Testing with over 20 years of experience and full IOA accreditation, we understand the complexities of ensuring compliance with UK Building Regulations. We are committed to
resolving your sound insulation concerns through nationwide testing, rapid certificate turnaround, and expert guidance at every stage.
Our services include providing clear advice on Part E requirements, establishing onsite sound insulation targets, and preparing your project to prevent failed tests caused by incomplete site conditions. Should issues arise, our team swiftly identifies construction weaknesses and offers tailored solutions to keep your project on schedule.
Simplify your sound testing process with Complete Energy. Through early investigative testing, we help identify and address potential issues during development, saving you time, resources, and costly delays. Partner with Complete Energy for confidence and a smooth path to compliance.
Air testing
Complete Energy Consultancy offers a fast and cost-effective service for all your Part L1A Building Regulations air testing compliance requirements. Our Residential Air Pressure Testing service is used by construction companies, house builders, large and small developers and self builders.
We carry out air pressure and air permeability testing on all residential building types from small single flats, to detached houses and multi-dwelling developments.
At Complete Energy Consultancy we do everything we can to get your commercial building a PASS in its Air Leakage Test. All of our Test Engineers have considerable experience in the construction industry which means that they understand much more than air testing! We believe our service – in terms of price and experience – is unbeatable.
FAQs
Energy Statements
If your Planning Officer requires an Energy Statement as part of your Commercial Planning Application, Complete Energy Consultancy can help. An Energy Statement from Complete Energy Consultancy will show how the predicted CO2 emissions from your development can be reduced through the on-site generation of renewable energy. Using site information weâ„¢ll tell you which renewables will work for you and how much emissions might be reduced. This Report complies with the latest Regulations and demonstrates the predicted energy usage in an easy-to-understand way which your Planning Officer will readily accept.
Complete Energy Consultancy can produce detailed Energy Statements showing which renewables have been considered and the overall reduction in carbon emissions and energy savings delivered if renewables were to be installed.
Acoustic testing
As trusted experts in Part E Sound Testing with over 20 years of experience and full IOA accreditation, we understand the complexities of ensuring compliance with UK Building Regulations. We are committed to
resolving your sound insulation concerns through nationwide testing, rapid certificate turnaround, and expert guidance at every stage.
Our services include providing clear advice on Part E requirements, establishing onsite sound insulation targets, and preparing your project to prevent failed tests caused by incomplete site conditions. Should issues arise, our team swiftly identifies construction weaknesses and offers tailored solutions to keep your project on schedule.
Simplify your sound testing process with Complete Energy. Through early investigative testing, we help identify and address potential issues during development, saving you time, resources, and costly delays. Partner with Complete Energy for confidence and a smooth path to compliance.
Air testing
Complete Energy Consultancy offers a fast and cost-effective service for all your Part L1A Building Regulations air testing compliance requirements. Our Residential Air Pressure Testing service is used by construction companies, house builders, large and small developers and self builders.
We carry out air pressure and air permeability testing on all residential building types from small single flats, to detached houses and multi-dwelling developments.
At Complete Energy Consultancy we do everything we can to get your commercial building a PASS in its Air Leakage Test. All of our Test Engineers have considerable experience in the construction industry which means that they understand much more than air testing! We believe our service - in terms of price and experience - is unbeatable.
Does my building require a test?
At this time all non domestic buildings with a Gross Floor Area over 500m² and a representative sample of dwellings are required to be tested. Gross Floor Area is the total area for all floors in the building. Some buildings in the Agricultural, Explosives and Nuclear Industries are Exempt. Contact us for more information.
What do I need to do before a test?
Once we have received an order to carry out an Air Test, we will forward a list of items that can be sealed for the test. Contact us for more information.
What does a test involve?
Basically, we attach a large fan to a personnel door of your building, and blow large amounts of air into the building. By using gauges to measure pressure, temperature and air flow in the building, we can calculate the building leakage.
At constant pressures we measure the amount of air we need to blow into the building to maintain the pressure. This is equal to the amount of air that is leaking out of the building.
How much pressure?
We only need to increase the air pressure in the building by approximately 50 Pascals (Pa). This is a very low pressure increase, and will not cause any damage. It is perfectly safe to carry on working inside the building during the test.
How long does the air test take?
Normally, we would expect the air test to last approximately 2 hours on site.
What if my building fails the test?
If the building fails the Air Test, we can carry out a smoke test on the day of the test, to identify the areas of leakage.
We can also arrange for a thermal image survey to be carried out to identify areas of leakage. Unfortunately this is not available on the day of the test.