Why is clean heat planning needed and how to do it
Understanding the aims of clean heat planning and the value offered to different stakeholders
ALPHA
Overview
The following sections outline a comprehensive approach for local authorities to develop clean heat plans, guiding the transition from gas heating to cleaner alternatives through local planning and stakeholder engagement.
The playbook is designed to be used in parallel with templates that Nesta has developed. You may choose to complete this template as you progress through the playbook, to summarise your work and identify your key priorities. It is intended to be used flexibly rather than prescriptively.
The key aims
Facilitate the market and build certainty around investment
Providing the supply chain with the signals and data required to move from theory to delivery.
Strategic de-risking & technical coordination
Bridging the strategy - delivery gap by developing granular plans additive to strategic planning such as LAEP’s and LHEES. Enabling cross tenure coordination.
Inclusion & household empowerment
Laying out the transition and surfacing key trustworthy information. Demystifying the changes to home and place for citizens. Linking to context and wider community value.
Organisational learning
Building consensus across local government as to the direction of travel.
Eleven benefits of local heat planning
A blog from Nesta on the benefits we see emerging from clean heat planning.
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.
The stages of clean heat planning
1
Team formation and scoping
Begin by assembling a team with expertise in net zero delivery, local planning, and retrofit/homes. Define a scope, whether for a specific neighbourhood or entire authority area, while understanding the existing planning landscape through strategic documents (LAEP, LHEES, HNDU heat network zoning).
2
Clustering and mapping
Properties are clustered by suitable technological approaches: individual heat sources, networked heat pump, communal solutions, and heat networks. The initial mapping defines solutions at the property level while grouping similar opportunities. Decision trees and specialised tools like Nesta's heat planning tool support this analysis.
3
The different technology choices
Understand the different technology groups that properties should be grouped by, the situations that they’re most suitable for and see case studies of schemes already delivered.
4
Plan development and funding
Local authorities identify funding routes (Warm Homes: Local Grant, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, Warmer Homes Scotland, Nest) and determine which clusters qualify for government support. Two versions of the plan are created: one for stakeholders/supply chain and another for households, each tailored to their respective needs.
5
Stakeholder engagement and additional data
Once a draft plan has been created, feedback should be sought from local stakeholders. This should look to sense check the mapping that has been undertaken and look to understand potential opportunities that may be unique to the local area. At this stage, any local data may be contributed or layered onto the initial plan.
6
Publication and delivery
Plans are published with clear next steps and engagement opportunities. The supply chain responds to identified opportunities and may directly contact authorities about delivering specific technologies. Households receive information about technology options, supply chain offerings, and invitations to awareness sessions.
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