What is The Merton Rule?
What is the 'Merton Rule' and how is it affecting all major development projects?
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. Hundreds of local authorities look set to follow Merton's lead, which will impact all new major development projects throughout the UK.
Background
Following the publication of Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22), Planning Guidance on Renewable Energy, issued by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister in 2004, the London Borough of Merton was the first to formalise the governments renewable energy targets in its adopted UDP, setting the target for the use of onsite renewable energy to reduce annual CO2 emissions for all new major developments* in the borough by 10%.
The first project to comply with this target ten light industrial units - was completed in June 2005 at Willow Lane, Mitcham, using micro turbines and solar PV to meet the requirement.
Croydon were quick to follow Merton's lead, and their first project designed to reach a '10% target' was completed in July 2005.
North Devon has chosen to demand 15% CO2 reduction from renewables and Kirklees Council have proposed that by 2011, 30% of energy consumption in every one of its new buildings is from renewable sources. This is a trend that has drawn increasing interest from local authorities across the UK, with over 75 councils already drawing up policies.
Councillor Andrew Cooper, Kirklees Council cabinet member for housing and property, said: "We are effectively setting our own version of the building regulations for renewable energy in Kirklees and this will impact on every residential home, every children's centre and every school we build.
"This policy ensures a new high standard for buildings in the future and that future is green," he added.
Mr Cooper also mentioned that the council took into account the expected increases in the price of gas and oil and with new buildings needing to last for at least 50 years, renewable energy will save costs in the long-term.
Hundreds of local authorities are expected to follow Merton's lead by adopting pro-renewables planning policies within Unitary Development Plans (UDP) or Supplementary Planning Documents. Merton's principal environmental officer Adrian Hewitt, suggests that the policy will be universal by the time Local Development Frameworks consign UDPs to planning history in 2007.
For more information on how to implement this rule in developments, contact John Mustarde or visit TheMertonRule.org
*Major Developments definition
For dwellings: where 10 or more are to be constructed (or if number not given, area is more than 0.5 hectares).
For all other uses: where the floor space will be 1000sq metres or more (or site is 1 hectare or more). Area of site is that directly involved in some aspect of the development. Floor space is defined as the sum of floor area within the building measured to the external wall faces at each level. Basement car parks, rooftop plant rooms, caretakers' flats etc. should be included.