The concept of off-site allowable solutions arises from the reality that not all sites will be capable of totally mitigating carbon emissions on-site. The concept of “allowable solutions” has therefore been introduced to enable some portion of the overall emissions to be compensated for off- site.
The principle behind the concept is that housing developers will make a payment to an Allowable Solutions provider who will take the responsibility and liability for ensuring that the required emission reduction requirement is met via a small, medium or large carbon-saving project. Attached to this arrangement, is the Government’s over-riding objective for zero carbon to be affordable, leading to the requirement for off-site allowable solutions to be cheaper than on-site measures, per unit of carbon saved.
Alongside this runs the aim of Local Authorities to maximise the benefits to local communities of developments in their area. Bearing in mind that any particular development will result in finite financial outcomes, practical ways need to be found to bring together the competing financial requirements of providing community benefits and achieving carbon zero.
This results in a “choices model” along the lines depicted, giving Local Authorities the opportunity to develop an allowable solutions policy within their local plans; this in turn allows the developer to seek out a best-value outcome from their perspective by either making a contribution to a local Community Energy Fund, or by contracting privately with a third-party provider. Where the Local Authority does not have an allowable solutions policy, then the developer is able to purchase an allowable solution from a private energy fund.
Running alongside these arrangements are the need for a verification and certification scheme able to show that the investment will achieve the required carbon emissions reduction. The scheme will be designed to monitor delivery, and provide timely delivery of the credits needed to meet the requirements of Building Regulations.
… better by design … Achieving zero carbon by 2016, when set alongside the broader sustainability principles covered by the Code for Sustainable Homes, places an increasing premium on thoughtful and careful design for which useful background work has already been
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completed. The Government- backed report “Integrated Sustainable Design Solutions for Modular Neighbourhoods” is, despite its snappy title, a recent good example.
Under one handy cover, thought-provoking holistic developer guidance is given covering all aspects of sustainability including energy/carbon considerations, surface water management, water consumption, waste management and local amenity.
In short, the 2016 carbon zero challenge and the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes sets a very high bar for housing developers – but one which, with the support available, presents new opportunities for a currently beleaguered sector.
The reports acknowledged above, together with a CSH technical guide are available as downloads at
www.uk-sda.org
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