GMCA adds net zero guidance to Places for Everyone

Architect Levitt Bernstein, in collaboration with low energy specialist Etude, has developed a three-part document package for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to help applicants comply with the joint spatial plan’s sustainability aims.

Specifically, the guidance addresses PfE Joint Plan policies JP-S2 (Energy and carbon) and JP-S3 (Low carbon heat), as well as the requirements for Truly Affordable Net Zero (TANZ) homes—a standard for operational net zero housing at the point of delivery.

Places for Everyone is a long-term development plan to create new jobs, new homes, and sustainable growth, covering nine Greater Manchester local authorities, with only Stockport of the 10 boroughs not included.

A commitment has been made to build 30,000 net zero social rented homes across Greater Manchester by 2038, for which the TANZ standard has been developed.

• BOOK NOW: Sustainability in Practice 2025

In support of Greater Manchester being a carbon neutral city region by 2038, PfE became part of the statutory development plan for each of the nine councils in March 2024.

The suite of net zero guidance documents aims to assist applicants and design teams by providing practical, implementable sustainability strategies tailored to different development types, and building expertise and confidence through user-friendly explanations of key concepts.

The documents aim to facilitate the planning process by covering the requirements to meet two of the PfE policies and the TANZ net zero new build standard, streamlining planning submissions through clearly communicated requirements, and creating proportional guidance that responds to project type, scale and complexity.

The series is structured as three complementary documents:

1. Design Guidance for Net Zero
An illustrated, accessible guide providing a comprehensive energy and carbon framework alongside design strategies. It offers approaches for reducing operational and embodied carbon and includes case studies demonstrating successful implementation.

2. Low Carbon Heat
This document presents heating options for achieving net zero, providing a decision-making framework alongside heat network mapping across Greater Manchester. It clarifies when alternative approaches may be justified and what evidence is required.

3. Net Zero Submission Guidance
A practical guide that simplifies planning application requirements with scale-appropriate submissions. It provides detailed guidance on completing the Energy and Carbon Proforma, structuring Energy and Carbon Statements, and following appropriate calculation methodologies.

These resources are designed to evolve over time, with periodic updates planned to respond to the needs of both applicants and Local Authorities as Greater Manchester progresses toward its net zero ambitions.

Salford City Mayor, and GMCA portfolio lLead for housing, Paul Dennett said: “As Greater Manchester continues its journey toward becoming a carbon neutral city region by 2038, our strategic and spatial plans provide a robust framework for delivering sustainable growth and infrastructure.

“The new net zero guidance series developed by Levitt Bernstein and Etude is a vital resource for applicant’s design teams and planning authorities, helping them meet the requirements of adopted planning policies. These documents offer practical, accessible strategies that support high-quality, low-carbon and energy efficient development.”

Clare Murray, sustainability studio director at Levitt Bernstein, said: “The Place for Everyone policy together with this guidance represents a significant milestone in the path to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets. With ambitious and forward thinking policies, GMCA has developed comprehensive sustainability guidance, bringing proportionality and a streamlined submission process to support applicants and local authorities alike.

“Working collaboratively with Etude, Levitt Bernstein will continue to support GMCA,  planning authorities, developers and local authorities in successfully implementing these new sustainable policies.”

• Read GMCA’s design guidance for net zero here