Set the energy statement brief before using the template
The National Planning Policy Framework sets national policy for planning's response to climate change. The planning practice guidance on climate change explains how planning can address mitigation and adaptation. These sources provide context; they do not supply a universal report template for every application in England.
Read the council's local plan for the energy policies relevant to the proposal, then its local validation list for the information requested with an application. The planning practice guidance on making an application explains local information requirements. Requirements differ by council, so record the policy references, requested documents and any written pre-application advice before commissioning calculations.
Give the author the application description and drawing register. Identify whether the proposal is new construction, conversion, extension or mixed use. A report for retained premises needs to distinguish existing fabric from proposed work; a new building needs a clear account of the design being assessed.
Energy statement template: suggested report contents
Treat these headings as an editable contents page. Include enough explanation for a reader to trace each conclusion back to a policy, calculation or drawing. Where a topic does not apply, explain why rather than leaving an unexplained blank.
| Template heading | What to put in this part |
|---|---|
| Project and document details | Site address, proposal description, author, issue status and drawing revisions. Identify the parts of the development covered and any excluded areas. |
| Policy and submission brief | Relevant local energy policies, validation requests and agreed scope. Show where each requested topic is answered, including any separate supporting documents. |
| Assessment method and assumptions | Explain the calculation approach, building uses, assessed areas and design inputs. Identify provisional fabric, heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation assumptions. |
| Baseline energy and emissions | Describe the comparison case and why it was selected. Label the outputs, units and scope so readers can understand what later reductions are measured against. |
| Demand reduction measures | Describe the proposed fabric, glazing, shading and services choices. Connect each modelled improvement to a specification or drawing and explain any site constraints. |
| Low carbon supply and renewables | Compare relevant options and explain the selected approach. Record practical checks such as plant space, roof availability, access and compatibility with the proposed building use. |
| Results and policy response | Present baseline and proposed outcomes consistently. Explain the contribution of each design stage and identify any policy question that remains unresolved. |
| Delivery record and appendices | List design commitments, supporting calculations and drawing references. Assign responsibility for confirming assumptions and identify changes that would trigger a report review. |
Make the energy statement calculations traceable
Describe the model before presenting its results. For homes, the government's Standard Assessment Procedure guidance describes SAP as a method for assessing dwelling energy performance. For non-domestic modelling, refer to the National Calculation Methodology. Our SAP versus SBEM guide explains the distinction when assembling the consultant's brief.
On a mixed-use scheme, label residential and commercial outputs separately before combining anything. Check that every figure uses compatible units and the same area basis. Explain whether an output covers regulated energy only or includes other demands, rather than presenting unlike results as a single comparison.
A model output without commentary can be hard to audit. Use the BRUKL report guide to understand that supporting document where relevant. Then explain which assumptions the energy statement takes from it and which planning questions need separate discussion. Keep predicted performance clearly labelled as a design estimate.
Adapt the energy statement for London and constrained sites
For a London proposal, use the London Plan energy assessments page alongside the GLA energy planning guidance. The GLA guidance sets out energy assessment expectations under the London Plan. Confirm which guidance and reporting documents apply to the proposal, as borough requirements also differ.
For a conversion with limited roof space, explain how retained construction and available plant locations affect the options. For a new building, coordinate the roof layout with shading, access and other equipment before describing solar panels as a firm commitment. Record rejected options with project-specific reasons rather than generic technology descriptions.
Check the energy statement evidence before submission
Read the report against the actual submission drawings. Check that plant locations, glazing, insulation descriptions and roof layouts match. If heating remains undecided, state the assumption and who will confirm it. Ask the author to explain how a later change would affect the assessment rather than silently substituting equipment.
Keep an issue record linking the statement to its calculation files and drawings. For teams coordinating several reports, our support for architects provides a route to discuss linked assessments. Send the policy brief, drawings and outstanding design questions to the energy statements service when requesting a scoped report.