East Devon District Council declared a climate emergency and is committed to tackling climate change through a variety of actions, including clean growth and low carbon development through district heating.
Heat networks (also known as district heating) supply heat from a central source to homes and businesses, via a network of underground pipes carrying high pressure hot water. The heat network ensures efficient delivery of low carbon hot water and heating in and around the Enterprise Zone. Homes and businesses have a Heat Interface Unit instead of a boiler in their properties. The network is served by two energy centres — one at Skypark and one at Monkerton.
Currently, the whole of Cranbrook is served by a district heat network, as is Skypark. New development near the M5 at Tithebarn, West Clyst and Monkerton are also served by district heating, with plans to decarbonise the networks through connection to an Energy from Waste plant.
The network can be expanded as demand grows and renewable technologies can be incorporated to implement more zero carbon opportunities. The Council adopted a Local Development Order for heat networks in the area to speed up the planning process.