decarbonisation targets by 2050. District heating could provide an effective heat decarbonisation solution compared to other options for domestic buildings.
- Local evidence in the form of a Zone Market Prospectus has been prepared to underpin the local approach to developing heat network zones across Stockport. This prospectus identified three potential heat network zones across Stockport, with the largest in Stockport Town Centre, followed by two smaller zones in Cheadle Park and Mid Reddish.
- The Stockport Town Centre heat network opportunity zone extends from Lancashire Hill in the north, across the town centre and southwards to Stepping Hill Hospital, with key heat demand of up to approximately 150GWh/yr of heat. The zone includes a diverse mix of commercial, retail, residential, and educational buildings, and could deliver carbon savings of about 25ktCO 2e annually.
- Stockport Council is progressing a proposal to develop a district heat network across Stockport town centre under the advanced zoning programme (AZP) in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The scale and location of proposed development within Stockport town centre means that there are particular opportunities to create and connect to district heating and cooling networks.
- A national zoning model (NZM) is being developed to support and inform heat network zoning policy by identifying potential heat network zones across England. These are areas where heat networks are expected to be the lowest cost, low carbon heating solution to buildings. Any development of new buildings within designated heat network zones will be subject to provisions set out in the emerging ‘The Heat Network Zones (England) Regulations’.
- Where investment or development is being undertaken in or adjacent to a civic or community building, consideration should be given to the potential role that the building can have in providing an anchor load within a decentralised energy network. In addition, the council will consider the use of Local Development Orders to facilitate the development and delivery of district heating networks.
CR 5: Retrofit and re-use of buildings
- The council will support well-designed proposals to retrofit existing residential and non-residential properties, to enable improvements to their energy performance, reduce their carbon emissions and adapt to climate change. The provision of wood burning stoves during extensions or retrofit will not normally be supported due to the impacts of small particle air pollution.
- Proposals for retrofitting buildings to reduce energy consumption should conserve and enhance heritage assets and the historic environment wherever relevant.