Question: Does the council set a requirement that all new homes to be built must be operationally (regulated) net zero?

Clarifications

For operationally net-zero policies, we will accept those that define this as only concerning regulated emissions. Definitions for operationally net-zero and regulated emissions are below.

Operationally net-zero: when the amount of carbon emissions associated with the building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative. A net zero carbon building is highly energy efficient and powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources, with any remaining carbon balance offset.” Definition from:
https://ukgbc.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/05150856/Net-Zero-Carbon-Buildings-A-framework-definition.pdf

Regulated emissions: Emissions generated through building energy consumption resulting from the specification of controlled, fixed building services and fittings, including space heating and cooling, hot water, ventilation, fans, pumps and lighting. Such energy uses are inherent in the design of a building." For more information: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Regulated_and_unregulated_energy_consumption

If the council is achieving net-zero homes through cash-in-lieu contributions or offsets this will not count for this question. However, if the Council provides an exception that offsetting is allowed where a net-zero home may not be technically feasible this will still be valid.

There are a number of local plans in the draft stage who are requiring this policy. If these policies are deemed unsound by the Planning Inspectorate we will remove this question.