Planning Support

Practical sustainability and carbon advice to support successful planning outcomes.

Planning requirements relating to carbon and sustainability continue to evolve across the UK. Di Marco Carbon provides technical support to help clients, architects and project teams navigate planning policy, prepare robust sustainability documentation and respond to increasingly demanding planning requirements.

From Whole-Life Carbon Assessments and Circular Economy Statements through to Sustainability Statements and planning-led carbon advice, the focus is always on providing clear, proportionate and technically robust support that helps projects move confidently through the planning process.

Technical Approach

Every project, planning authority and development proposal presents different sustainability challenges and requirements. Di Marco Carbon adopts a proportionate, project-specific approach, ensuring sustainability advice is aligned with planning policy, project objectives and wider stakeholder expectations.

Planning support may draw upon:

  • National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

  • London Plan sustainability and carbon requirements

  • Greater London Authority (GLA) Whole Life-Cycle Carbon guidance

  • Relevant Local Planning Authority policies and supplementary planning guidance

  • RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (2nd Edition)

  • UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

  • LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide and embodied carbon benchmarks

  • Circular Economy Statement guidance

  • BREEAM methodologies and sustainability frameworks where applicable

  • Project-specific sustainability targets and client requirements

Technical assessments are typically developed using One Click LCA, alongside project-specific carbon modelling, benchmarking and option studies where required. Outputs are prepared with a focus on clear communication, helping planning officers, clients and project teams understand both the technical findings and their implications for the wider development strategy.

When Might Planning Support Be Required?

Planning requirements relating to carbon and sustainability are becoming increasingly common across the UK. Early engagement can help ensure sustainability requirements are understood, proportionate and effectively integrated into the wider planning strategy.

Planning support is commonly required for:

  • Planning applications for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments

  • Local Planning Authority sustainability and carbon requirements

  • Greater London Authority (GLA) planning submissions

  • Whole-Life Carbon Assessments and carbon reporting

  • Sustainability Statements

  • Circular Economy Statements

  • Demolition justification and retention assessments

  • Design development and planning strategy

  • Net Zero Carbon targets and sustainability commitments

  • Planning condition responses and discharge submissions

  • Stakeholder engagement and authority consultations

  • Supporting documentation for planning, ESG or certification objectives

A well-prepared sustainability strategy can help demonstrate compliance with planning policy while providing a clear framework for carbon reduction throughout the design and delivery process.

Let’s Discuss Your Project

Whether you're looking for a whole-life carbon assessment, planning support, BREEAM consultancy or early-stage carbon advice, I'd be happy to discuss how Di Marco Carbon can support your project.