March Newsletter - 2025

Jump to:

Planning Without a Plan?

Sustainability Report: Guildford Borough Council

Solar focus: Does size matter?

This month, we are taking a deeper look at the UK government's proposal for planning reform. The primary objective of the reform is to expedite infrastructure development—including wind farms, railways, roads, gigafactories, and data centres by simplifying environmental obligations by introducing a Nature Restoration Fund.

The UK’s planning system has needed an overhaul for years—anyone who’s ever tried to get planning permission will agree! But here’s the real question: Does streamlining planning for certain projects solve the problem? Or are we in danger of ditching important environmental protections just because the real issue is how those rules are being enforced?

They mean well but...

The current process leaves a lot to be desired. The process behind planning any infrastructure project can be a maze of regulations, consultations, and checks that, in theory, ensure the right balance between progress and the protection of the environment, local communities, and our resources.

As with any development, before construction can begin, there is a lengthy planning process. This can be an involved process, especially for major projects, which are often classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Typically, this process can take between 12 to 18 months for a large-scale infrastructure project, though long drawn-out delays are not uncommon. For example, The A3-M25 infrastructure project was in planning for 9 years from initial discussions to consent being granted.

One of the biggest criticisms of the current system is that it's slow and bureaucratic with the multiple stages of consultation and review taking years to get through. - It was environmental and planning considerations, including concerns about the impact on nearby habitats and the surrounding community that caused the delays to the A3-M25 Project.

The main concern is one that we agree with - this slow process contributes to delays in addressing urgent infrastructure needs, especially when it comes to the UK’s climate goals and housing shortages.

Is this the best plan?

The Current Situation

The Proposed Approach

So, what is being proposed? A key feature of these reforms is the establishment of a Nature Restoration Fund, which would allow developers to meet their environmental obligations more efficiently. This fund would pool contributions from various projects allowing developers to fund large-scale environmental interventions, such as protecting habitats and reducing pollution, rather than addressing environmental concerns on a site-by-site basis.

The hope is to find a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. The change should help facilitate 150 major infrastructure decisions while still addressing the decline of natural habitats and species. The government has also introduced a £70 million package to support these efforts.

These proposals would help to unblock infrastructure bottlenecks and support nature recovery and on the surface, this all sounds pretty good! However, there are some serious concerns about the long-term impact of weakening the environmental safeguards and the impact this will have on local community decision-making and the environment the protect,.

Denmark's Planning Permission Process:
A Model for the UK?

1. Application Submission:
   First, developers submit their applications to the local municipality for a building permit. If the project is in a rural area, they may also need to seek additional planning permission. This streamlined initial step ensures that projects begin on the right foot, with developers knowing exactly what’s expected of them.

2. Municipal Review:
   Once the application is in, it’s time for the local authority to review it. The key here is that they assess applications based on local plans and regulations. The process is well-defined, and there are clear guidelines and standardised procedures, which makes it much easier for developers to know exactly what will be evaluated. No guesswork, just clarity.

3. Public Participation:
   One of the standout features of Denmark’s planning process is the emphasis on public involvement. Neighbours and organisations can appeal planning decisions to state administrative boards, ensuring that the community has a say in what happens in their area. This not only increases transparency but also helps to keep the process democratic and community-focused.

4. Decision Timeline:
   Now, here’s the best part: the timeline. In Denmark, applications that meet all regulations are typically processed in about three months. This provides developers with a sense of predictability, making it easier to plan and execute projects without the anxiety of long, drawn-out waiting periods.

What About Larger Projects?

This basic framework is very effective for small-scale projects, however, for substantial infrastructure projects, the standard planning procedures are supplemented with more rigorous evaluations. 

For larger projects like wind farms and major industrial facilities, developers must conduct comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), which assess the impact on ecosystems, water, air quality, and local communities—ensuring that the environment comes first. Further to that, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) are needed for anything beyond individual projects. Finally, some projects, particularly those in rural areas, need additional planning permissions, this is typically when there is a change in land use or a new construction. These specialised permits are to ensure everything’s in line with local regulations.

It is often by looking at the success of others that we can learn the best way to move forward. Fortunately, running the Government is not a test and there are no punishments for copying others answers! When it comes to planning permission, Denmark’s system is often held up as an example of efficiency and clarity. It’s a model that has caught the eye of many, including those who are pushing for reforms in the UK’s often cumbersome planning process. So, what makes Denmark’s system so effective? Let’s take a closer look.

Overview: A Three-Level System

Denmark's planning system is broken down into three levels: national, municipal, and local. The overarching framework is provided by the Danish Planning Act, which ensures consistency and alignment across all these levels. This means that while the specific rules may vary depending on where you are in Denmark, the structure is still unified, creating a clear path for developers to follow. This allows developers to plan accordingly it is by making their lives easier that more projects and development can happen!

They may have meant well, but...

Environmental Concerns:
One of the biggest worries is the potential impact on the environment. The fear is that fast-tracking projects could mean skipping or simplifying the vital environmental assessments which determine what impact/harm a project could have on the local ecosystems and wildlife. By skipping these assessments, significant time can be saved during applications, but this would potentially come at the cost of damaged ecosystems and the destruction of protected species habitats.

Erosion of Local Control:
Another concern is the shift of planning decisions away from local councils to central planning officers. This raises a big question about community influence. If decisions are being made at a more remote level, will local voices be heard? A proposal in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill also suggests giving Natural England the power to compulsorily acquire green spaces for nature reserves. While the intention is to restore nature, the idea of taking away community access to these green areas is understandably worrying for some. After all, local communities that are most impacted by any decisions being made!

Feasibility and Effectiveness:
Lastly, there’s the question of how realistic some of these goals are. The government has set some ambitious targets, like building 1.5 million new homes in the coming years. While it's a worthy goal, questions linger about whether this is achievable given the current resources and infrastructure. Take the M4 relief road in Wales, for instance. Critics pointed out that the project failed to account for future traffic growth and was too focused on its economic benefits, overlooking potential environmental consequences. If we’re going to set big targets, we need to ensure we’re not cutting corners or making decisions that may not stand the test of time.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong...

Our quick look at Denmark shows that it is possible to champion speedy development while having a well-regulated and thought-through policy that protects the local environment and the communities living in them. 

It is difficult to believe that the current UK government's idea for planning reform is well thought through. The proposed changes feel short-term focused, with the hitting of targets being held as more important than the long-term progression and development of the UK as a whole. With this in mind, the question remains: do they mean well? Are these reforms focused on achieving much-needed infrastructure development and economic growth, or are they merely a means to meet ambitious targets set to gain parliamentary power, with hitting those targets serving as a way to hold onto it?

As with any major reform, there are always concerns about the potential side effects, and the UK government's proposal to fast-track infrastructure projects is no exception. Let’s have a look into a few key issues that have raised eyebrows among critics.

Their Planning Process

For this report, we accessed each supermarket for how they performed across five categories so that we could look at sustainability from a range of angles.

1. Carbon Footprint - A look into the impact of their meat supply chains.

2. Ethical Sourcing - We considered animal welfare & farming practices.

3. Sustainability Rankings -  Their broader environmental commitment.

4. Meat Packaging - The environmental impact of their meat packaging.

5. Alternative Proteins - How are they encouraging plant-based & sustainable protein choices)

Thinking about the big picture.

This month, we are taking an in-depth look at the sustainability of supermarket meat. I hear you asking: Why are we thinking big about meat? If you didn't know, meat and dairy production are supermarkets' largest source of carbon emissions, collectively, meat and dairy products account for a substantial portion of the UK's dietary GHG emissions, with meat contributing 32% and dairy 14%. 

For this reason, we’ve taken a deep dive into the UK's biggest supermarkets and ranked them across five key categories to see how they stack up! But before we get into that, here is a breakdown of the categories we considered and what falls into them!

Meat the Most Sustainable Supermarket

The Key Considerations

Carbon Footprint

• Net-Zero Commitments - are their clear, actionable goals? We were looking for supermarkets with detailed, time-bound net zero commitments that included the meat supply chain in their strategies. This isn't just about making vague promises

• Supply Chain Emissions Reductions - It's not just about having targets... what are supermarkets actually doing to reduce emissions in farming, processing, and transportation? Whether it’s pushing suppliers to use cleaner tech or better farming practices we are looking for efforts to cut emissions in the production process.

• Renewable Energy Use - Is Green Power Part of the Picture? A major source of emissions in the supermarket world comes from energy usage, both in stores and in the supply chain. We are looking for supermarkets that push for renewable energy across their operations and with suppliers.

• Deforestation & Soy-Linked Emissions - Are they addressing the important issue of feed? Many supermarkets still source meat from animals fed on soy, and much of this soy comes from regions linked to deforestation in places like the Amazon rainforest. That’s a big problem for both emissions and biodiversity. We are looking for transparency about whether a supermarket is sourcing meat from suppliers that avoid deforestation. A commitment to deforestation-free supply chains is a must if they’re serious about sustainability.

Now that we know what we are looking for we can rank the supermarkets in each of these areas!

The Results!

Your Source for Sustainable Meat:

What this table and graph show is that the meat sustainability leader is Waitrose. So, what is it that they are doing better than their competitors? Waitrose excels in 4 out of 5 of the areas we looked at, getting full marks in one area!

• Waitrose fully deserves a score of 5/5 for ethical sourcing! They have industry-leading animal welfare standards, sourcing only free-range, organic, or high-welfare meat. It has also committed to eliminating cruel practices in seafood farming, such as eyestalk ablation in prawns.

• When we look at their carbon footprint, we see a strong commitment to reducing supply chain emissions They are also investing in regenerative agriculture to lower the environmental impact of meat production and supporting low-carbon livestock farming initiatives. This earned them a 4/5 for carbon footprint.

• Waitrose has significantly reduced plastic use in meat packaging, switching to recyclable and compostable alternatives. It also leads in packaging innovation compared to competitors. This earned them a joint highest score of 4/5 for meat packaging.

• The supermarket scores highly, 4/5 for overall sustainability rankings due to its transparent supply chain reporting, responsible sourcing policies, and leadership in ethical farming practices.

• Waitrose scored a 3/5 for alternative proteins. While not the market leader in plant-based alternatives, Waitrose has a solid selection of sustainable protein options and is actively expanding its range of plant-based meat substitutes.

We wanted to know how humane and sustainable supermarkets are really being. For this, we looked at whether they have clear policies on animal welfare, like free-range or grass-fed standards. Do they partner with ethical farming certifications, such as RSPCA Assured or Soil Association? What about antibiotics and hormones—are they limiting their use? And how humane are their slaughter practices?

Finally, are they transparent about their suppliers' ethical sourcing? These are what we felt were the key factors to consider if you’re choosing where to shop with animal welfare and sustainability in mind.

Ethical Sourcing

When it comes to sustainability, how well are supermarkets handling meat products? We look at whether they support sustainable farming practices, like regenerative agriculture or sustainable livestock farming. We wanted to know how transparent they are about meat sourcing - Do they provide clear labelling to help you make ethical choices? And importantly, do they have deforestation-free policies, ensuring no meat is linked to deforestation?

Sustainability Rankings

Meat Packaging

Supermarkets play a big role in reducing packaging waste, especially when it comes to meat. We check if they’re cutting down on plastic use or minimising packaging altogether. Are their meat packages recyclable or compostable? Are they introducing refillable or returnable packaging options? And most importantly, have they set clear goals and deadlines for making packaging more sustainable?

Alternative Proteins

Here we look at whether supermarkets offer a wide variety of plant-based meat options and if they’re investing in innovative sustainable proteins like lab-grown meat or mycoproteins. Are they actively marketing plant-based diets as a sustainable choice? And have they set sales targets to increase plant-based options over traditional meat?

20/25

This category evaluates how well a supermarket is doing at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to its meat supply chain. It's estimated that supply chains can contribute up to 90% of a supermarket's GHG emissions, so since this is the most critical category to consider when evaluating emissions we will spend a little more time breaking down what we looked at for this:

Our general advice when designing a solar PV system is to maximise the number of panels you install. This is because the cheapest time to install an extra solar panel is when you have scaffolding erected and an installer on your roof.

But does this mean you should cover every inch of your roof in solar? Since a solar panel produces higher power when more direct sunlight hits it, a panel on a North-facing (or heavily shaded) roof in the UK won’t do us much good. But what if you have a massive south-facing roof? Or an East-facing and West-facing roof? Should you fill them with solar panels?

If you have high annual usage, you’re going to benefit more from extra solar panels than a lower-usage household. This is because every kWh you use directly from solar will save you more (~23p/kWh) than a kWh you sell back to the grid (~15p/kWh). If your annual electricity usage is higher, more of your solar production goes towards saving you 23p on electricity imported than earning you 15p on electricity exported. So, in theory, there is an optimum number of panels or solar production where the cost of adding an extra solar panel is no longer worth it. But what if we could earn more for our exported electricity?

The increase in smart meters has brought with them smart tariffs. These tariffs offer variable prices depending on wholesale market energy prices. So, what if we stored our excess electricity in a battery for when prices are higher… we would be able to increase our earnings! Check out this example using a real Octopus Energy tariff.

A Home Selling @ 15.65p / kWh:

1000 kWh x £0.1565 = £156.5/ year

A Home Selling @ 23.72p / kWh:

1000 kWh x £0.2372 = £237.2/ year

An additional earning of £80 just by selling at the right time.

Can you ever have too many panels?

The answer is... Maybe?

This is a very simplified example, but it shows us that with smart tariffs, we can earn more for our excess energy. This higher export rate means we can save/earn as much from exporting our excess at the right time than we would from not importing energy from the grid. When this is the case, it removes a potential reason to limit the number of panels we install as we can earn good money from them.

It is worth bearing in mind that if we are putting more panels on another roof and require more scaffolding the total cost of those extra panels is higher. It’s something worth considering when we are working with an East/West roof.

A home producing 1000 kWh excess electricity each year:

Unfortunately, due to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), there is a practical limit to how much power we can export at one time. They want to protect the grid and need to check that their network can handle the electricity you want to export. In the UK, we can export 3.68 kW per phase without prior DNO application. Since most homes have single-phase electrics if we want to export more than this we will need to apply for permission before installation. For example, a 5kW inverter can export 5kW of electricity so would need a DNO application before installation. Remember: an inverter's rating refers to its AC output.

Overcoming the limits

However, this limit applies to the amount of power we can export, not how much we can generate! Most inverters, especially hybrid inverters, allow for significant oversizing. Oversizing is when we install more solar production than our inverter can output, for example, installing 7kWp worth of solar panels on a 5kW inverter. This works for two reasons. 

1. We rarely experience maximum sunlight on all our panels at once. Since the installed solar capacity (the rating on the panel) refers to the output when we have 1000 W/m2 of luminosity (power from the sun), we only achieve the full rated output on these rare occasions. 

2. Hybrid Inverters can send DC power from your solar panels directly to your battery. Since the inverter doesn't have to invert the power to AC to do this, the excess energy isn't affected by the inverter's limit.  

Do we have any limits?

We always recommend maximising the number of solar panels you have installed. However, to do this, there are a lot of considerations that you and your installer need to make and work through. One of the most important decisions you can make when considering solar is finding an installer that you can trust to go on the journey with you. I believe it's the only way to guarantee you end up with the best possible system for you and your household!

In conclusion

Energy solutions for large roof space