Investigates whether the present planning system is fit for the purpose of facilitating high-quality sustainable urban growth and delivering healthy, energy-efficient housing. Asserts that the planning system generally fails to deliver development that integrates good standards of energy efficiency, displays locally sensitive or inspiring architecture and promotes quality of life. Looks at the real tools offered by the planning system to local planning authorities to ensure the delivery of high-quality, energy-efficient housing: design codes, community strategies, strategic environment assessments from 2004 and the future provisions for planning functions to be exercised with a view to achieving sustainable development included in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill Part III CL38. Concludes that the planning system still seems destined to fail to provide the impetus to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock. Notes and chart displaying UK carbon emissions - year 2000 sources by sector.