The Government are committed to responding to the challenges of climate change and the need for new homes in sustainable communities. On 13 December 2006, Communities and Local Government launched a consultation on the draft of a new Planning Policy Statement on climate change. This makes clear that new development should be located to optimise its carbon performance and make the most of existing and planned opportunities for decentralised, renewable and low-carbon energy supplies. In 2006 the Government amended Part L of the Building Regulations to increase energy efficiency standards. Without prescribing solutions, the regulations set standards for energy performance in a way that enables builders to take into account the benefits of renewable and on-site energy generating systems, thus encouraging their take-up.
Government have not made any specific assessment of the potential for the use of currently unused waste heat from power plants. As promised in the Energy Review Report, we have issued new and improved guidance to power station developers on meeting their combined heat and power obligations. This will encourage the waste heat from plants to be utilised for other purposes, including the distribution of heating in communities.