With the applications now coming in in the Local Area Plans, the details of the implementation of the Energy Standards have to be fixed. I have sent the following suggestions to the Director of Services for Planning and the County Architect.

In discusssions internally and externally, the question of how to enforce the energy standards comes up. It is of course an executive function to implement the LAP, but I thought in the light of those discussions, and having had a look at the response to the AI request on F05A/1869 (Manor Park, Cappagh), I should set out my suggestions in case they are of assistance.
I think the best way to make the energy standards effective in the planning permissions is to impose a 2-part condition along the line of the following:
a) Before commencement of development, the applicant must submit a certificate from a qualified person certifying that the detailed design will meet the following standards:
A collective average reduction of at least 60% in CO2 emissions deriving from energy usage for space and water heating within the housing development, relative to a baseline of prevailing regulatory and design practice. This initial baseline of comparison is to be represented by the provisions of Technical Guidance Document L (TGD L) to the Building Regulations, 2002 using a conventional gas fired heating boiler with an assumed seasonal efficiency of 75%. The calculation is to be carried out for the time being using the Heat Energy Rating Method in TGD L, pending adoption of the official national methodology for determining energy performance of housing for the purposes of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

In meeting this CO2 performance target, the development shall include:
· A collective average reduction of at least 60% in energy consumption for space and water heating , relative to the baseline of existing regulatory and design practice and using the methodology outlined above; and
· A contribution of 30% by renewable energy supply systems to meet the collective space and water heating requirements within the housing development.
b) Before occupation of the development, the applicant must submit a certificate from a qualified person certifying that the building has been constructed in accordance with the detailed design insofar as compliance with the energy standards are concerned.
c) The applicant is advised to consult the energy related text in the Local Area Plan for the area.

Regards,

David