Planning Energy & Sustainability Statements for New Dwellings & Barn Conversions

Planning Energy & Sustainability Statements for New Dwellings and Barn Conversions

Many planning authorities require an Energy Statement — and an increasing number ask for a combined Energy and Sustainability Statement — whenever a new dwelling is created, whether that's a new build or the conversion of a barn or other agricultural building, showing how the proposed home will meet local and national energy and water efficiency policy. This is separate from, and ahead of, the SAP assessment done later for Building Warrant or Building Regulations. I prepare a fixed-fee statement covering energy performance and water efficiency, referenced to the policy that applies to your specific site, backed by 45 years of Building Control and Building Standards experience and current SAP/Elmhurst accreditation. Desktop service, UK-wide, no site visit required.

Get a Quote How It Works

RICS Chartered Building Surveyor  |  Elmhurst Energy Accredited Assessor  |  45 Years' Building Standards Experience

Why Get Your Energy and Sustainability Statement Done Properly

A generic, boilerplate energy statement is one of the easiest things for a planning officer to spot — and to come back with questions about. Getting it right first time keeps your application moving.

Written to Satisfy the Planning Officer

Your statement references the specific energy, water efficiency and sustainability policy that applies to your site and local planning authority — not a generic template that could apply anywhere.

Backed by SAP Modelling

As an accredited SAP assessor, I can underpin the statement with real modelling of your proposed specification rather than a narrative alone, giving the planning officer something concrete to assess.

45 Years' Regulatory Insight

Prepared by a Chartered Building Surveyor with 45 years in Building Control and Building Standards, including senior local authority roles.

Fixed Fee, Fast Turnaround

One fee, agreed up front, with no surprises — and a quick turnaround so it doesn't hold up your planning submission.

How It Works

A straightforward desktop process. No site visit, no back-and-forth if you send everything up front.

1

Send Your Development Details

Email the site address, your local planning authority, drawings and proposed specification (if you have one yet) for the new dwelling or barn conversion.

2

Policy Review

I identify the energy, water efficiency and sustainability policy that applies to your site — national policy plus your local authority's development plan requirements.

3

Statement Prepared

A written Energy and Sustainability Statement demonstrating how the dwelling meets that policy, including a water efficiency calculation where required, ready to submit alongside your planning application.

4

Support Through Determination

If the planning authority comes back with reasonable queries while your application is being determined, I'm on hand to help you respond.

Who This Is For

This service covers energy performance and water efficiency for new dwellings and barn or agricultural building conversions to residential use. It does not include a full BREEAM assessment, biodiversity net gain, or a transport statement — where your planning authority asks for these as well, I'll advise on the right specialist to bring in alongside my report. If you need a statement for a householder extension or a non-domestic development, get in touch and I'll advise on the appropriate quote.

Pricing

One simple, fixed fee. No hidden extras.

£328
per dwelling
  • Energy and Sustainability Statement for one new dwelling or barn/agricultural conversion
  • Water efficiency calculation against your local authority's target (e.g. Building Regulations Part G, or the Scottish equivalent)
  • Referenced to your local planning authority's policy
  • Ready to submit alongside your planning application
  • Follow-up support if the planning authority raises queries
Get Started

This price covers new dwellings and barn or agricultural building conversions to residential use — householder extensions and non-domestic developments are quoted separately. It covers energy performance and water efficiency; a full BREEAM assessment, biodiversity net gain or transport statement, where a planning authority asks for these too, are outside this service and are not offered. Discounts are available for developments of multiple plots where house types are repeated. Get in touch for an exact quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Planning Energy and Sustainability Statement?

A written document submitted alongside your planning application, showing how the proposed dwelling will meet your local planning authority's energy efficiency, water efficiency and sustainability policy. It's a planning-stage document — separate from the SAP assessment done later to demonstrate Building Warrant or Building Regulations compliance.

Do you cover water efficiency as well as energy?

Yes. Where your planning authority's validation checklist or a combined Energy and Sustainability Statement requirement includes a water efficiency target — for example, litres per person per day under Building Regulations Part G, or the Scottish equivalent — I calculate this and reference it alongside energy policy compliance.

Does this include a full Sustainability Statement — BREEAM, biodiversity net gain, transport?

No. This service covers energy performance and water efficiency only. A number of larger or urban authorities require a fuller sustainability statement covering a formal BREEAM assessment, biodiversity net gain and transport — these need specialist input outside my scope, and I'm happy to advise on the right consultant if your project needs them.

Is this the same as a SAP assessment?

No. A Planning Energy and Sustainability Statement addresses planning policy at the application stage. A SAP assessment is a separate exercise, carried out later, to demonstrate Building Regulations or Building Warrant compliance. I offer both — see the main ThermaCheck site for SAP assessments and EPCs.

Do you need to visit the site?

No. This is a desktop service based on the drawings and details you provide, so it can be carried out anywhere in the UK without a site visit.

Does this cover barn conversions?

Yes. Converting a barn or other agricultural building into a residential dwelling creates a new dwelling for planning purposes, so it's covered by the same fixed fee as a new build.

Does this cover householder extensions?

No — this fixed-fee service covers new dwellings and barn/agricultural conversions only. If you need an energy statement for a householder extension or a non-domestic development, get in touch and I'll advise on the right quote.

Do you cover Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Yes, UK-wide. Planning policy on energy and sustainability differs by nation and by local planning authority, which I account for based on where your site is.

What if the planning authority asks for more information?

Follow-up support to respond to reasonable queries from the planning authority is included, so the statement doesn't hold up your application.

Request a Planning Energy and Sustainability Statement

Email your site details and drawings and we'll come back to you with confirmation and likely turnaround.

Email:

The email link opens a pre-filled message so you can just add your details — site address, your local planning authority, number of dwellings, and your timescale.

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