Object
Solihull Local Plan (Draft Submission) 2020
Representation ID: 14940
Received: 14/12/2020
Respondent: The Home Builders Federation Midland Region
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
Policy P9 Bullet Point 3 (viii):
- HBF recognise that electric vehicles will be part of solution to transitioning to a low carbon future.
- Given Govt’s proposals for Part S of Building Regs, this requirement is unnecessary and should be deleted.
- If retained, HBF consider physical installation of fixed EVCPs is unnecessary; automotive technology is evolving quickly, therefore cable and duct approach is a more sensible & future-proofed solution. Negates potential installation of obsolete technology.
- HBF and Members have serious concerns about capacity of existing electrical network in UK.
- Major network reinforcement will be required across power network to facilitate introduction of EVCPs and the move from gas to electric heating as proposed under FHS.
- Costs can be substantial and drastically affect viability of developments.
- If developers are funding potential future reinforcement of National Grid network, this will come at significant cost and jeopardise future housing delivery.
- Viability assessment does not include costs for upgrading network, just installation. Capped figure of £3,600 should be included in viability assessment.
- Given the Government’s proposals for Part S of the Building Regulations, the requirement set out in Bullet Point 3 (viii) is unnecessary, which should be deleted.
- If Bullet Point 3 (viii) is retained, references to practical feasibility and viability should be added to provide more flexible and effective policy approach.
See attached letter