Zoning isn't there to prevent the coal fired power plant from being built next to your house, it's to make it less bureaucratic to build in zoned areas - no nee

Zoning isn't there to prevent the coal fired power plant from being built next to your house, it's to make it less bureaucratic to build in zoned areas - no need to get individual "planning permission" for any new permitted structure. Countries that don't use zoning would still prevent the scenario you envisage.