New guidance for developers on connecting to or creating district heating systems as part of their plans could be set for consultation.
Dundee City Council already has a policy requiring developers to demonstrate that they have considered this method as a sustainable form of heating within their scheme.
Now councillors are being asked to approve a consultation on draft guidance taking developers through the necessary steps.
Mark Flynn convener of the council’s city development committee said: “Our presumption as a planning authority that developers will consider district heating systems within a development and what future proofing will be needed if it’s not suitable at this stage is a significant part of our sustainability agenda, so it is important that together we get it right.”
Will Dawson convener of the council’s planning committee added: “We want as many interested parties as possible to have their say on the draft guidance to make sure that when it is completed it is clear, concise and above all understandable for the people who will need to use it effectively and efficiently as part of the end to end planning process.”
District heating systems provide heat from a sustainable point of generation to end users such as homes or businesses via a network of insulated pipes delivering water or steam.
Dundee has a long history of such system with the Logie estate having one of the city’s first almost 100 years ago.
The draft planning guidance for consultation can be found at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/city-development/local-development-plan/planning-division-consultations
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
