How the tracker works
Places
How a place's stage is assigned
Each place has a dated history of stage events. Its current stage is always the most recent event, worked out by the site rather than typed in, so the tracker, place pages and changelog cannot disagree. A place can move down the ladder if a later event says so.
- 1Pilot
One of the 28 places in the government's heat network zoning pilot, which produced a zone opportunity report for each.
- 2Zone development area
Named by government, or by a council with government funding, for early work to develop a zone through the Advanced Zoning Programme, ahead of the regulations.
- 3Consultation open
A council has consulted the public on a proposed zone boundary. Until the regulations are in force, these consultations are preparatory, not statutory.
- 4Designated
A heat network zone has been formally designated under the zoning regulations.
- 5Developer appointed
A zone developer has been appointed through competition for a designated zone.
- 6Operational
Heat is being supplied under a designated zone's arrangements.
Some rules we apply strictly:
- Designated means designated under the zoning regulations. Councils sometimes describe areas as zones before then; we do not record those as designated, because no zone can be formally designated until the regulations are in force.
- Consultation open currently covers council consultations on proposed zone boundaries. Until the regulations exist, these are preparatory, and the place page says so.
- Developer appointed means a zone developer appointed for a designated zone. Partners that councils appoint before then are listed on the place page as development or delivery partners and do not move the stage.
- Zone development area requires a primary source naming the place for government-supported early zone work, usually the Advanced Zoning Programme. Where only a secondary source names it, the place page says so.
Facts
How a fact's status is assigned
- In forceLaw, in force now, confirmed by a primary source.
- PendingGovernment policy that is waiting for regulations or a start date.
- AnnouncedAnnounced by government: a plan, programme or funding decision.
- ProposedProposed in a consultation and not yet decided.
- Not yetExpected, but nothing has been published or started.
- UnknownWe could not confirm the current position from a primary source.
We never describe a zoning requirement as in force, or as mandatory, unless a source on legislation.gov.uk shows the regulation is in force. Policy from the January 2026 government response is shown as pending until then.
Sources
Where the data comes from
We prefer primary sources, in this order:
- Legislation on legislation.gov.uk and Parliament’s statutory instruments records.
- GOV.UK publications, consultations, guidance and speeches from the responsible department.
- Ofgem, Citizens Advice, Consumer Scotland and the Energy Ombudsman for market regulation.
- Council and combined authority committee papers, decisions and news releases.
- Public procurement notices on Find a Tender.
We use company press releases and trade press only where no primary source exists, and we say so beside the claim. Every place needs at least two dated sources.
Checking
How often we check
Facts are rechecked at least every 90 days; a script lists any that are overdue. Place records are reviewed when a council or government source changes, and at least quarterly. Facts were last fully checked on 8 November 2026 and place records on 8 November 2026.
Place records marked unreviewed were compiled from their sources but have not yet had an editor’s final check.
Errors
Corrections
If something is wrong, please tell us on the corrections page. We check every report against the primary source. Corrections that change a stage or status are logged in the changelog with the date.
This site is independent. It is not affiliated with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem, any council or any trade body.