The Department for Communities and Local Government will, in effect, ditch the so-called “Merton rule” under 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, requiring new buildings to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% through the use of renewables.
Yvette Cooper, housing minister, will shortly publish a new draft planning policy statement which outlines the abolition of the rule. The Royal Institute of British Architects attacked the apparent U-turn.
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