Energy Statements:
Covering England and Wales

An Energy Statement is a planning-stage report that explains how a proposed development will reduce energy demand and carbon emissions in line with the relevant planning policies. In practical terms, it shows the local planning authority how the scheme is expected to perform, what measures are being used to cut emissions, and how the project responds to the relevant policy framework before planning permission is determined. (london.gov.uk , cityoflondon.gov.uk)

No. There is not one blanket national rule saying every planning application in England or Wales must include an Energy Statement. In practice, the requirement usually comes from local planning policy and the local validation list. That is why some councils require them for all major schemes, while others also ask for them on specific minor developments. (broxtowe.gov.uk , westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk , westminster.gov.uk)

In England, the NPPF says major development means 10 or more homes, or a site of 0.5 hectares or more where the number of homes is unknown. For non-residential development, it means 1,000m² or more of additional floorspace, or a site of 1 hectare or more. That definition matters because many Energy Statement requirements, especially in London and in local validation lists, are triggered at the “major” threshold. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)

Yes, in practical planning terms they do. The GLA says an energy assessment is required for all major planning applications, and London Plan Policy SI 2 says major development proposals should include a detailed energy strategy showing how the zero-carbon target will be met through the energy hierarchy. That is why a London major application without a proper Energy Statement is usually heading straight for validation or officer-query problems. (london.gov.uk , london.gov.uk)

Yes. Minor schemes can still need one where the local authority requires it. Haringey says applicants must submit an Energy Statement for minor applications creating 1 to 9 new dwellings or under 1,000m² of new non-residential floorspace, and Merton now has a dedicated minor residential energy assessment template in its planning guidance. So minor does not automatically mean “no energy statement”. (haringey.gov.uk , merton.gov.uk)

The London energy hierarchy is Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green, Be Seen. London Plan Policy SI 2 defines those steps as: use less energy, exploit local energy resources and supply efficiently, maximise on-site renewable energy, and monitor and report actual energy performance. In practice, a London Energy Statement is expected to show the carbon savings achieved at each stage, not just throw a renewable technology onto the roof at the end. (london.gov.uk)

In London major development, it means the scheme must achieve a minimum on-site reduction of at least 35% beyond Building Regulations. Policy SI 2 also says residential development should achieve 10% through energy efficiency measures and non-residential development should achieve 15% through energy efficiency measures within that hierarchy. This is one of the core numbers most London planning officers look for first. (london.gov.uk)

No. They usually sit on top of those calculations rather than replacing them. Haringey’s guidance for minor developments expressly requires SAP/BRUKL output sheets to be submitted alongside the Energy Statement, and the GLA guidance expects the energy assessment to demonstrate compliance using the appropriate modelling. In simple terms, the Energy Statement is the planning narrative and strategy document; SAP, SBEM and BRUKL are part of the technical evidence underneath it. (haringey.gov.uk , london.gov.uk)

Sometimes, yes, but this is a policy-sensitive area. The 13 December 2023 WMS says government does not expect plan-makers in England to set local energy-efficiency standards beyond current or planned Building Regulations unless they have a robust rationale. At the same time, adopted local policies in London and some other authorities still require detailed planning-stage energy strategies. In practical terms, you need to check the live local plan and validation list rather than assume Part L alone will satisfy planning. (parliament.uk , westminster.gov.uk , london.gov.uk)

Treat it as a design tool, not just a validation document. Start early, fix the policy baseline before modelling, coordinate SAP/SBEM/BRUKL inputs with the architect and M&E designer, and keep the overheating, heat-network and renewable strategy aligned with the planning narrative. The strongest Energy Statements are the ones that explain a settled design clearly, not the ones written at the last minute to rescue an application pack. (london.gov.uk , haringey.gov.uk)