Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to allow local authorities to recommend in their Unitary Development Plans that all new industrial, warehousing, office and live/work units, outside conservation areas and above a threshold of 1,000 square metres, will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10 per cent. of predicted energy requirements; and if he will make a statement. [118341]
§ Mr. McNultyAs stated in the Energy White Paper, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently examining, together with other government departments, how to bring consideration of the use of renewables and energy efficiency in developments more within the scope of the planning system, in the context of the review of Planning Policy Guidance note 22 and the government's wider planning reforms, and in a way that does not impose undue burdens on developers.