Policy CC/NZ: Net zero carbon new buildings

Where appropriate new development must achieve net zero operational emissions by following a hierarchical approach of reducing heat and power demand then supplying all energy demand through onsite energy generation. Through the submission of an appropriate energy assessment incorporating energy performance calculations undertaken using a methodology capable of providing accurate predictions of total in-use energy (e.g. CIBSE TM54 or the

Passivhaus buildings provide a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling. They are designed and constructed according to principles developed by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany.

Planning Package), proposed new development will demonstrate the following hierarchical approach: 

Net Zero Carbon buildings – operational emissions 

Part A: Space heating 

1. Achieve a specific space heating demand as follows: 

• All new dwellings must achieve a space heating demand of 15 – 20 kWh per meter squared per year. 
• All new non-domestic buildings must achieve a space heating demand of 15 – 20 kWh per meter squared per year. 

2. All heating should be provided through low carbon fuels (not fossil fuels). 

3. No new developments should be connected to the gas grid. 

Part B: Total Energy Use Intensity (EUI) 

4. EUI targets are achieved as per building type (set out in kWh per meter squared per year) as follows: 

• All dwellings must achieve an EUI of no more than 35 kWh per meter squared per year. 
• Non-domestic buildings must achieve the following EUI where technically feasible and viable by building type: 

          i. Offices: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          ii. Schools: 65 kWh per meter squared per year. 

          iii. Multi-residential (e.g. student accommodation): Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          iv. Retail: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          v. Leisure: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          vi. Research facility: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

           vii. Higher education teaching facilities: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          viii. Light industrial uses: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

          ix. Hotel: Equivalent to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 targets (and sub-typologies where available). 

Part C: Energy performance/Onsite Renewable Energy 

5. Proposals must seek to maximise opportunities to generate on-site renewable energy to enable the development, where possible, to achieve all energy demands through onsite energy generation. 

Part D: Energy Offsetting and Assured Performance 

6. Where economic viability or technical constraints prevent policy compliance, proposals must first and foremost strive to meet the space heating and total energy consumption thresholds. Proposals must then benefit as much as possible from onsite renewable energy generation. Energy offsetting should only be used as a last resort (for example where there is limited roof space to generate renewable energy). Offsetting payments must be used to invest in additional renewable energy generation to ensure that net zero carbon buildings are delivered. These offsets will primarily be delivered via developer contributions to a fund which would be ring- fenced for use only to deliver local projects that would deliver the required shortfall in renewable energy. In some cases, it may be acceptable for the developer to conduct direct delivery of these local energy offsetting projects rather than provide a financial contribution, subject to council approval of the proposed projects based on meeting criteria around their effectiveness, suitability and guaranteed delivery timescales. 

7. All applicable developments must demonstrate use of an assured performance method in order to ensure that the buildings’ operational energy performance reflects design intentions and addresses the performance gap. 

Net Zero Carbon Buildings – construction and embodied carbon 

8. All major development must calculate whole life carbon emissions through a nationally recognised whole life carbon assessment tool and demonstrate actions to reduce up-front embodied carbon emissions (modules A1-A5 of the RICS methodology) through good design and material efficiency. This should include reducing emissions associated with construction plant.

The UK has a legally binding requirement to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. In June 2021, the Government adopted its sixth carbon budget, which forms part of the route map to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 and requires a 63% reduction in emissions from 2019 to 2035 (78% relative to 1990). 

Our Net Zero Carbon Study (2021) advises that new buildings need to be built to net zero carbon standards as soon as possible for

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

to play its part in meeting the UK’s carbon budgets. By considering the three elements of space heating demand, energy use intensity and onsite renewable energy together, the policy seeks to deliver low energy consumption, energy efficient, net zero energy buildings. 

This policy deals with all of the carbon associated with new buildings, both that associated with the energy needed for powering homes and commercial buildings, as well as the carbon associated with the processes and materials used to construct those buildings, known as embodied carbon, promoting lean design and implementation of circular economy principles. The policy considers upfront embodied carbon, which are the carbon emissions associated with materials and construction processes up to practical completion (modules A1-A5), as illustrated in Figure 129. 

The policy also seeks to address the performance gap between designed performance and as built performance through the use of an Assured Performance Process. These are all elements that are not fully covered in other regulations such as

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings, providing the minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission and you might need both for your project.

. The policy is underpinned by detailed technical and viability evidence, demonstrating that the approach is feasible and viable. 

Applicants will need to take a design approach that follows the energy hierarchy to meet these energy use requirements. Making sustainable design decisions early on, such as considering the most effective orientation, optimising the form factor of a building and taking a fabric first approach will help applicants meet space heating demand and EUI policy requirements more easily. Following this, applicants will need to supply energy efficiently, and the policy provides flexibility by not specifying how this should be achieved. In the majority of cases it is likely that heat pumps will be chosen, and the technical work underpinning the policy was undertaken on the basis of the use of air source heat pumps. Policy CC/RE and the policies map also identify areas for district heating (from zero emission sources), and applicants may wish to consider connection to such networks. Lastly, the policy requires onsite renewable energy generation to match the total energy demand, to achieve an on-site net zero energy balance. Again, flexibility is allowed for in terms of choice of technologies, but it is likely that integration of rooftop solar pv will be the most likely choice for new developments. 

There may be exceptional circumstances where policy requirements cannot be met in full, for example where there is insufficient roof space for renewable energy generation. In these cases, the priority should be meeting the space heating demand and EUI requirements of the policy, followed by implementing as much renewable energy generation as possible. The remaining energy balance would then be offset via payment into a fund to be used for delivery of renewable energy elsewhere within

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

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Energy offsetting will primarily be delivered via developer contributions to a fund which would be ring-fenced for use only to deliver local projects that would deliver the required shortfall in renewable energy. In some cases, it may be acceptable for the developer to conduct direct delivery of these local energy offsetting projects rather than provide a financial contribution, subject to council approval of the proposed projects based on meeting criteria around their effectiveness, suitability and guaranteed delivery timescales. 

To reduce carbon emissions from construction and embodied carbon, applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the relevant upfront embodied carbon targets set out in the UK Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, with reference to the targets relevant at the time of application. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Climate Change Topic Paper 2025

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Net Zero Carbon Study (2021)

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Net Zero Carbon Study Updates (2025):
  • Update to Cost Modelling (Currie and Brown)
  • National policy context update
  • UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Summary

  • The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

    Carbon Budget Assessment

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.