Do You Need A Sustainability Statement?
What is a Sustainability Statement?
A Sustainability Statement is a document produced to demonstrate how a proposed development addresses environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives.
Many councils now require Sustainability Statements to accompany final planning applications. Requirements vary across authorities, but they are commonly requested where developments must demonstrate wider sustainability performance beyond simple energy calculations. A Sustainability Statement can help demonstrate your development’s approach to:
- Flood risk management, drainage and water efficiency
- Community impact and social value
- Biodiversity and ecological considerations
- Whole-life carbon and embodied carbon reduction
- Health, wellbeing and occupant comfort
- Responsible sourcing of materials
If you’re unsure whether your project requires a Sustainability Statement, our team can review the planning requirements and advise on the appropriate approach.
What Does a Sustainability Statement Cover?
A Holistic Review of Building Performance
Depending on planning requirements, assessments of the development may include:
Energy & Carbon
Strategies to reduce energy demand, improve efficiency and minimise carbon emissions.
Water Efficiency
Measures to reduce water consumption and improve long-term resource efficiency.
Surface Water & Drainage
Sustainable drainage approaches and flood risk considerations on-site and beyond.
Ecology & Biodiversity
Assessment of impacts on local habitats and opportunities for ecological enhancement.
Materials & Resources
Review of sustainable and responsibly sourced construction materials according to the BRE Green Guide.
Health & Wellbeing
Creating healthy, comfortable and resilient environments for occupants to live, work, and thrive in.
Renewable Technologies
Assessment of solar PV, heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies where appropriate.
Daylighting & Overheating
Analysis of the balance between optimising natural light and mitigating overheating risk.
Why Choose MES Building Solutions?
Planning-Focused Advice
Our Sustainability Statements are developed to help clients navigate planning requirements efficiently while maintaining practical and commercially realistic solutions.
Benefits
What is the Process?
Simple, Efficient, Clear
Our proven step-by-step process keeps your project on track and delivered on time.
Step 1
Send us your drawings, project details, and any available planning information.
Step 2
We assess local authority requirements and identify sustainability obligations.
Step 3
We review key topics including energy, water, carbon, and materials.
Step 4
We prepare a clear and professional Sustainability Statement.
Step 5
We remain available to assist with planning officer comments or additional information requests.
Recent Project Experience
Sustainability Statement Projects
We provide Sustainability Statements for a diverse range of building types and uses, from small commercial units to multi-block apartment buildings
Demolition of existing garages and replacement with new in North London.
Two new detached houses in rural Warwickshire.
A scheme of new apartment blocks in Central London.
An existing house converted into community space in East London.
What Our Clients Say
I have been using MES Building Solutions for years now. They are always helpful from the concept to final design. I find their approach both professional and flexible to finding a cost effective solution to meeting the SAP requirements.
SG, Architect
Frequently Asked Questions
A Sustainability Statement is a planning document that demonstrates how a proposed development addresses environmental, social and economic sustainability objectives. It can include features such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction, water conservation, drainage, ecology, materials and health and wellbeing.
Many local planning authorities now require Sustainability Statements for certain developments. Requirements vary depending on the authority, location and scale of the project. We can review your proposal and advise whether a Sustainability Statement is likely to be required.
An Energy Statement focuses specifically on energy use, carbon emissions and renewable energy technologies. A Sustainability Statement has a broader scope and may also consider water efficiency, ecology, materials, drainage, health and wellbeing, transport and wider environmental impacts.
Costs vary depending on the size, complexity and planning requirements of the development. We provide fixed-fee quotations tailored to each project, ensuring you only pay for the level of assessment required.
Turnaround times vary by project size and complexity, but we aim for 5-10 working days on all projects.
Typically, we require:
- Site address
- Architectural drawings
- Development description
- Planning reference (if available)
- Any planning policy requirements identified by the local authority
Yes. We regularly work alongside architects, planning consultants, developers and design teams to ensure sustainability strategies are aligned with planning and design objectives.
Yes. We support projects across the UK and tailor our assessments to the requirements of the relevant local planning authority.
Yes. Sustainability Statements often consider technologies such as solar PV, heat pumps, solar thermal systems and other low-carbon solutions where appropriate for the development.