Thorough surveys and careful planning are the bedrock of successful projects. From noise and emission assessments to geotechnical, borehole investigations, utility mapping, and topographic surveys, we can help.
We gather the data needed to design efficient, low-carbon systems that meet regulatory and planning requirements. We also provide full planning support, including drawings, design and access statements, and planning statements, helping clients navigate permissions with confidence. By combining technical expertise with a practical understanding of planning processes, we ensure that every project is well-prepared, compliant, and set up for smooth delivery from initial feasibility through to construction.
Planning a renewable or low carbon energy project requires a holistic approach to fully consider all of the potential impacts, both positive and negative, and to identify all those affected by the development. Emissions, noise, transport arrangements and building aesthetics can be problematic and must all be considered and addressed as early as possible in the planning process.
At Sustainable Energy we have provided planning support for many of our leading low carbon and renewable energy projects. We have provided planning services to secure planning permits for large scale biomass projects, wind turbines, PV arrays and city centre energy centres with district heat networks in both rural and urban locations.
We manage the full planning process, develop Design and Access Statements, Planning Statements and Environmental Statements. We also collate survey information for emissions, noise impact and architectural services to support planning applications.
We collate and present survey information for emissions, noise impact and architectural services.
Ready to more forward?
Planning applications
We manage the full planning application process for district heating networks and energy centres.
This includes developing planning drawings, preparing design and access statements, and compiling comprehensive planning statements to support applications.
Our approach ensures that proposals meet local authority requirements and planning policies while reflecting the practical and operational needs of the network.
By combining technical knowledge with an understanding of planning processes, we help clients navigate permissions efficiently, minimise delays, and reduce the risk of objections. From initial design through submission, we ensure applications are robust, well-documented, and set up for successful approval.
Noise surveys & strategies
Low-carbon solutions, particularly air source heat pumps with external plant, can create noise impacts if not carefully managed.
To meet planning conditions and minimise disruption to local residents and site users, it’s important to demonstrate that proposed plant complies with noise requirements.
We can organise noise surveys to measure existing background levels and model the impact of new plant at sensitive receptors. Where mitigation is needed, we specify measures such as acoustic screening, carefully designed to avoid affecting airflow and heat pump efficiency.
Our expertise ensures low-carbon heating can be delivered quietly, efficiently, and fully in line with planning requirements.
Utility & topographic surveys
Accurate utility and topographic surveys are essential for the design and installation of heat networks.
We start with a desktop review of existing utility records (C2 utilities) to identify potential conflicts, before organising detailed surveys such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to confirm underground services and de-risk network routing.
Topographic surveys capture site levels and features, informing optimal pipe routes and network layout. By combining these approaches, we optimise our network designs, and ensure safe, efficient installation.
Our experience ensures that heat networks are planned with precision, reducing unexpected costs, delays, and disruption while supporting reliable, future-ready low-carbon infrastructure.
Geotechnical & borehole surveys
Geotechnical and borehole surveys are essential for understanding ground conditions before installing heat networks or low-carbon energy plant.
They help assess soil composition, stability, and groundwater levels, which informs the design of foundations, pipework, and buried infrastructure.
Borehole surveys also provide key data for ground/water-source heat pump systems, confirming thermal conductivity and available resource. By carrying out these surveys early, we can identify potential risks, optimise designs, and ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective installation.
Our expertise ensures that projects are built on a solid understanding of site conditions, reducing uncertainty and supporting smooth delivery from feasibility through to construction.
Emission dispersion modelling
We arrange emission dispersion modelling to understand the impact of biomass/biogas plant or and/or fossil fuel back up plant on the surrounding areas.
This includes assessing pollutants such as NOx and particulates, particularly near sensitive or protected sites such as SSSIs, SACs, or SPAs. Where emissions need to be controlled, we can design and specify flue gas cleaning systems to meet planning conditions.
We’ve also undertaken refrigerant dispersion modelling for large-scale heat pumps with emergency ventilation, assessing the impact of potential refrigerant releases on nearby high-rise residential blocks, ensuring planning compliance and safe operation.
Heating the village: Low carbon energy at Portmeirion
Portmeirion is one of Wales' premier visitor attractions - an Italianate village of great architectural significance welcoming around 225,000 visitors per year, and famous as the setting for the television series "The Prisoner."
