To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under the proposed changes to the Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change whether a demonstration that reaching the target of sourcing 10 per cent. of energy from on-site renewable sources was unachievable would be required before energy provision from off-site renewable sources would be taken into account in planning decisions. (167136)

[holding answer 22 November 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today to PQ 165247.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department’s definition is of off-site in relation to the provision of energy from renewable sources for new developments; and whether this definition is the same as that used in the Code for Sustainable Buildings. (167137)

[holding answer 22 November 2007]: The Code for Sustainable Homes technical guidance (available on the Department’s website) sets out the definition of zero carbon for the purposes of the code and makes clear that off-site renewable contributions can only be used where these are directly supplied to the dwellings by private wire arrangement. This is in line with the general policy set out in “Building a Greener Future” policy document (available from the Department’s website). As set out in “Building a Greener Future” as new evidence emerges about the cost and practicalities, and as technologies develop, we will develop the definition of zero carbon for the purposes of building regulations, after full consultation and within a sensible time frame that will allow the industry to adjust before the planned changes in 2016.