The Result
A 30‑unit residential scheme needed a planning energy statement urgently to meet the submission deadline. The architecture and layouts were ready — but the energy strategy, supporting narrative and modelling were not.
ATSPACE delivered a complete, compliant planning energy statement at pace, aligned it closely with local planning policy requirements, and recommended performance improvements that did not trigger redesign or delay.
The scheme was submitted on time with a clear, defensible energy strategy and a clean evidence trail for the case officer.
Project Snapshot
Service: Energy statements
Client: Developer + planning consultant
Site: Millstone Yard, 14 Canal Street, Walsall WS1 2DG
Development: 30 residential units (apartments + duplexes)
Stage: Planning submission
Energy approach: Fabric‑first improvements, low‑carbon heating, on‑site renewables
ATSPACE delivery: Planning energy statement, energy modelling, carbon‑reduction narrative, policy mapping, drawings review, submission‑ready document
Team: ATSPACE energy assessor + building performance lead
Why This Became Urgent
The design team had assumed the energy statement could be written quickly — a common planning risk. But several information gaps remained:
- product specifications not finalised
- heating + ventilation strategy unclear
- airtightness targets implied but not stated
- glazing + insulation values inconsistent across drawings
- renewable strategy shown visually but not quantified
- local‑policy structure requiring a clear baseline + uplift
The planning consultant needed a document that was:
- Readable for the case officer
- Technically defensible under scrutiny
- Deliverable without reopening design
What an Energy Statement for Planning Needs to Do
A planning energy statement is a policy response, not a Building Regulations submission.
It must:
- explain site + building typology clearly
- define a realistic, deliverable energy strategy
- demonstrate baseline performance vs proposed improvements
- quantify impacts of major measures
- map directly to local plan policy requirements
- list assumptions transparently
- outline next steps for detailed + as‑built stages
If any of these are missing, planning delays and requests for further information are likely.
What ATSPACE Was Asked To Do
The brief was urgent and focused:
- deliver a full energy statement within the submission window
- confirm a deliverable energy strategy that meets policy uplift
- avoid forcing redesign or increasing costs
- produce a document suitable for planning review and technical scrutiny
- create a clear evidence base that carries through to detailed design
What ATSPACE Did
Step 1: Rapid information capture (planning‑appropriate)
We requested only essential planning‑stage information:
- unit schedule + areas
- wall/roof/floor build‑up intent
- glazing type + indicative performance
- airtightness target
- heating + hot water approach
- ventilation approach
- planning‑stage lighting assumptions
- renewable intent
- drawings for orientation + roof‑space review
Where information was missing, we applied sensible, transparent assumptions.
Step 2: Policy mapping before writing the strategy
Local plan requirements vary widely.
We mapped the statement directly to:
- energy hierarchy structure
- baseline comparison method
- required uplift / carbon‑reduction threshold
- renewable expectations
- specific reporting format required
This ensured the statement matched exactly what the planning authority wanted.
Step 3: Fabric‑first strategy without redesign
Because the design was frozen, we focused on measures that do not force architectural changes, including:
- tighter insulation continuity
- controlling thermal bridging risk
- realistic airtightness target with a clear QA path
- all‑electric heating where feasible
- roof‑mounted PV where space allowed
- ventilation strategy supporting comfort + IAQ
All measures were deliverable, not aspirational.
Step 4: Quantified outputs + clear narrative
The final statement included:
- baseline vs proposed performance
- quantified carbon‑reduction contribution of each measure
- combined improvement summary table
- clear explanation suitable for case officer review
- confirmation of what will be fixed at detailed design vs as‑built
Problems Faced — and How ATSPACE Solved Them
Problem 1: Unconfirmed roof‑space PV layout
Fix: Assessed roof geometry → proposed realistic PV allowance → flagged final confirmation for technical design.
Problem 2: Heating strategy too vague
Fix: Confirmed system choice → produced a clear supporting narrative → explained carbon benefits.
Problem 3: Airtightness target missing
Fix: Set achievable target → linked to build route → outlined evidence method for later stages.
Problem 4: No ventilation narrative
Fix: Added a simple, planning‑appropriate ventilation explanation supporting IAQ + energy performance.
Outcome
The energy statement was delivered on time, fully aligned with planning policy, and avoided any resubmission delays.
Project outcomes:
- planning energy statement submitted within the deadline
- clear policy alignment and strong supporting evidence
- deliverable strategy without design change
- transparent assumptions + defined next steps
- reduced risk of planning queries or conditions
Common Mistakes This Project Avoided
- submitting generic energy statements not aligned with local policy
- relying on vague “low carbon” claims with no numbers
- assuming PV is feasible without checking roof constraints
- omitting airtightness + ventilation strategy clarity
- committing to exact products too early
CTA
If you need an energy statement for planning — especially on a tight deadline — ATSPACE can deliver a clear, policy‑aligned strategy with modelling evidence and practical measures that do not trigger redesign.
Ask for:
- energy statements for planning submissions
- residential energy modelling + carbon‑reduction narrative
- local‑policy mapping + evidence alignment
- practical improvement strategies without redesign
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a planning energy statement and Building Regulations compliance?
Planning = policy evidence.
Building Regulations = technical compliance confirmed later.
When should an energy statement begin?
As early as possible — late starts cause delays due to missing specification details.
Can ATSPACE produce a planning energy statement if information isn’t final?
Yes — using transparent, sensible assumptions and a deliverable strategy.
