Government U-turn on Merton rule

The Department for Communities and Local Government will, in effect, no longer enforce the “Merton rule” because of pressure from housebuilders that do not want to bear the cost of renewable energy technologies when they construct homes. The Merton rule is named after the London borough that established it four years ago.  It requires new buildings to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% through the use of renewables. Yvette Cooper, the housing minister, is to publish a new draft planning policy statement that will outline the abolition of the rule. The Royal Institute of British Architects has attacked the apparent U-turn. 20/08/07 The Guardian