Milton Keynes Council

Carbon Neutral Development

Local Plan Policy D4

• energy efficient design

• 10% renewables

• water conservation

• low impact building materials

• waste reduction

• carbon neutrality

BREEAM & Code level4

These assessment methods can be used as automatic compliance with D4 if:

•BREEAM Excellent

•Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4

(Carbon offset payment still required)

Costs

• Extra cost of D4 compared with Building Regs approx 5%

• Varies by house type and renewables technology used

Milton Keynes Carbon Offset Fund

• First council in the UK to set up a local carbon offset fund

• Aims to make all major development in MK carbon neutral

• Managed by USEA

Use of the fund

• Payment of £200 per tonne CO2

• Cuts CO2 emissions & improves energy efficiency of existing MK homes

• First measures are loft and cavity wall insulation

• Benefits local economy by household savings and creating jobs in installing insulation

Planning Progress to 2011

• 95% of permissions D4 compliant

• 76% have renewable energy

• Over £1.2m in carbon offset funds spent

• Over 5,000 homes insulated

• Carbon saving: 3,800 t pa

• Top LA in SE England for home insulation

The future

• New policy with higher standards

• 44% less CO2 than building regulations

• 20% on site renewable energy

• Higher carbon offset payment per tonne

• Need wider range of measures

• Attract corporate investment