A leaked document released today has cast doubt on the Government's denial that it is considering abolishing a groundbreaking rule to encourage green development. The 'Merton Rule' is a planning policy, pioneered by the London Borough of Merton, which requires that new buildings over a certain size must generate some of their energy from renewable sources.
Shadow Environment Secretary, Peter Ainsworth commented:
“This latest document seems to expose a Government trying to spin its way out of an awkward situation. The Merton Rule is a good example of how local government can provide a lead when it comes to protecting the environment. Therefore, it is simply astonishing that the Government seems intent on watering down an excellent initiative from local councils.
“The Merton rule has proved itself to be both popular and successful and it beggars belief that the Government is riding roughshod over both local Government and the renewable energy industry.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
A Guardian article on Monday 20 August claimed that the Government sought to abolish the Merton Rule.
The Government categorically denied this on 21 August, saying that “"We are not saying that targets should be abolished completely, but that area or site targets could actually increase the amount of energy supplied from sustainable sources" (PlanningResoure, 21 August)
Then, on Tuesday 23 August, a leaked document from the DCLG argued that: "Planning authorities should...focus on local development or site specific opportunities, and avoid blanket requirements applying across extensive areas with a broad range of development proposals and circumstances." (PlanningResource, 23 August)
The 'Merton Rule' is the groundbreaking planning policy, pioneered by the London Borough of Merton, which requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the built environment.
On the 8th of June 2006 Yvette Cooper, the Minister for Housing and Planning, announced that ‘Government expect all planning authorities to include policies in their development plans that require a percentage of the energy in new developments to come from on-site renewables’
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