Developing a stakeholder plan
An introduction to the stakeholder plan, what it should include and why
ALPHA
Overview
This template is designed to help local authorities create a stakeholder-ready local clean heat plan that replicates the successful pilot project conducted in Plymouth. The primary goal of this document is to shift the conversation from high-level policy to procurement readiness, signalling to the supply chain that the council is ready to move from strategy to implementation.
In order to successfully populate this template, it is necessary to read the guidance provided throughout each section, as it outlines the specific data and strategic hooks required to attract private sector investment.
How this guidance was created
This template was developed based on a real-world clean heat plan created for the Stoke ward in Plymouth. During its development, we engaged supply chain stakeholders, including installers, manufacturers, and coordinators, multiple times to gather their feedback on various drafts. This final template represents the version that stakeholders found most useful for identifying commercial opportunities, forecasting revenue, and planning for long-term skills and training needs.
Case study
During 2025 Plymouth City Council and Nesta partnered to understand where the value of local heat planning may lie, how it may benefit the supply chain, local stakeholders and households. Engagement with different groups shaped the content of the plan. This process, and the accompanying templates and tools are a result of the engagement.
Guidelines for use
1
Target the supply chain
Write with the private sector in mind. They are looking for a steady, predictable pipeline of work to justify investing in local staff and equipment.
2
Be data-led
Use granular, street-by-street analysis to define technical pathways (eg, individual heat pumps vs. shared ground loops). Nesta is developing a free-to-use tool to enable this work. We also provide information about how we would recommend grouping properties and how to do this manually.
3
De-risk the opportunity
Use section one to demonstrate your council’s track record in managing capital and national funding streams, which builds confidence that the project is financially secure.
4
Utilise the Plymouth examples
Throughout this document, you will find "The Plymouth example" sections. Use these as a reference for the level of detail and tone required for your own local plan.
5
Integrate tools
To populate the technical sections (like section three), you can use Nesta’s heat planning tool to identify the most suitable low-carbon heating options for specific neighbourhoods.
Getting started
This guide will walk you through the seven sections of a clean heat plan.
The heat plan has seven main sections. The following pages will guide you through creating a clean heat neighbourhood plan.
In order to do this you will have to map an area understanding the number of properties and overall technology mix and grouping properties by the four technology categories.
Nesta are currently building a heat planning tool. Built using open data, this will enable areas to produce maps, access data and create pipelines of projects.
Heat planning tool
Nesta is developing an open-source data tool to handle planning at the local authority level. If you work in local government, contact us to be amongst the first to access it.
Email us at cleanheatneighbourhoods@nesta.org.uk
The seven sections of a stakeholder plan
1
Introduction: The invitation to partner
Immediately establish the scale of ambition and the commercial intent. It shifts the tone from "policy" to "procurement readiness," signalling that the council has moved past the "if" and into the "how" and "when."
2
The track record: Delivering clean heat
De-risk the project for the private sector by demonstrating the council's history of managing capital, securing national funding, and successfully completing large-scale energy projects. It proves the council is a "serious client" that understands the complexities of retrofit and heat infrastructure.
3
The market opportunity: scale and technology pipeline
Provide a granular breakdown of the project’s technical requirements. By categorising properties into ’technology pathways’, the council enables the supply chain to see exactly which products and skills will be in demand and they can identify more precisely where they can contribute.
4
Opportunity deep dive: targeted project briefs
Break the area down into "ready-to-go" zones based on their technical and social characteristics. By categorising areas by their most suitable heating pathway (individual, networked, or communal), the council provides the supply chain with a clear understanding of the site constraints and the "ideal" solution for each pocket of the area.
5
Our commitment: generating demand and de-risking delivery
Provide the socio-economic intelligence that allows businesses to align their financial models (eg, grant-funded vs. private finance) with the local population. It proves the council isn't just handing over a technical map, but is actively managing the customer pipeline. While section four showed the what and where, section five explains the "ease of sale." This section acts as a data source for stakeholders to cross reference the opportunity areas in the previous section.
6
The financial framework: underpinning the market
Demonstrate that the plan is commercially viable. Your goal is to map the capital stack, showing how a mix of government grants, private finance, and institutional budgets (like social housing funds) combine to create a stable, multi-year revenue stream for contractors.
7
Implementation roadmap: aims, roles and next steps
Moves from strategiser to market-facilitator. This section shows to the supply chain that the council is not just thinking about clean heat but is actively preparing the procurement vehicles and support structures to move toward delivery. This section should give local stakeholders as much clarity as possible on the tangible actions they should take.
Check
Before progressing, we recommend that
You have read the guidance on team formation and scoping
You are familiar with the four technology groups that this process uses
You have read the guidance on clustering and mapping
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