Circular Economy

Question: What is a Circular Economy Statement?

Answer: A Circular Economy Statement is a planning document that demonstrates how a development has been designed to minimise waste, conserve resources and keep materials in use for as long as possible. It sets out how the design has considered retention and reuse of existing buildings, design for longevity, adaptability and disassembly, use of recycled and reused materials, and management of construction and operational waste.

Circular Economy Statements are required by the London Plan for all referable applications and are increasingly requested by other Local Planning Authorities.

Question: What does London Plan Policy SI 7 require?

Answer: London Plan Policy SI 7 (Reducing Waste and Supporting the Circular Economy) requires referable applications to submit a Circular Economy Statement that:

• Demonstrates how circular economy principles have been applied through design
• Sets out how materials will be reused, recycled or recovered
• Includes targets for construction waste, excavation waste and demolition material reuse
• Explains how the building can be adapted, deconstructed and reused at end of life
• Commits to post-construction monitoring and reporting

The GLA’s Circular Economy Statement Guidance sets out the required content and reporting templates.

Question: What are the circular economy principles for buildings?

Answer: The key principles are:

• Building in layers so that elements with different lifespans can be replaced independently
• Designing out waste through efficient design and off-site manufacture
• Designing for longevity, adaptability and flexibility
• Designing for disassembly and material recovery
• Using recycled and reused materials and secondary products
• Retaining and refurbishing existing structures where possible

These principles reduce whole life carbon and resource consumption and can lower construction costs.

Question: What is a pre-redevelopment audit?

Answer: A pre-redevelopment or pre-demolition audit identifies the materials and components within an existing building and assesses their potential for reuse, recycling or recovery before demolition. It is a required part of a Circular Economy Statement where demolition is proposed and helps to maximise material recovery, reduce waste and support the case for retention where appropriate.

Question: How does the circular economy relate to whole life carbon?

Answer: Circular economy and whole life carbon are closely linked. Retaining structures, reusing materials, designing for longevity and specifying recycled content all reduce embodied carbon, and designing for disassembly reduces end-of-life emissions. The London Plan requires Circular Economy Statements and Whole Life Carbon Assessments to be submitted together, and the two assessments should be prepared in a coordinated way.

Question: Are Circular Economy Statements required outside London?

Answer: Not yet as a formal requirement, but many Local Planning Authorities now include circular economy principles in their climate change and sustainability policies and request evidence in Sustainability Statements. BREEAM also rewards circular economy approaches through the Wst and Mat categories. As national policy on embodied carbon develops, circular economy reporting is expected to become more widespread.

Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for Circular Economy Statements?

Answer: Syntegra Group prepares Circular Economy Statements in accordance with GLA guidance for referable applications in London and circular economy strategies for developments across the UK. Our sustainability consultants work with architects, structural engineers and our own M&E and whole life carbon teams to identify practical opportunities for retention, reuse, adaptability and waste reduction.

We produce clear statements and completed GLA templates that satisfy planning officers and provide a realistic basis for post-construction reporting.