The Merton Rule

The Merton Rule is named after the council in the United Kingdom that in 2003 adopted the first prescriptive planning policy that required new commercial buildings over 1,000 square metres to generate at least 10% of their energy needs using on site renewable energy equipment. The policy was developed and implemented by officers at Merton Council, and received political support from the then leader of Merton Council, Andrew Judge. Its impact was so great that the Mayor of London and many councils have also implemented it; and has now become part of national planning guidance. Over the past few years, Merton has been working closely with other authorities, professions and industry to embed the Merton Rule into the UK mainstream. This work is not only leading to significant CO2 reductions, but it is also helping to create an industry that can respond to the needs for affordable renewable energy. ^[1]

In 2008, the UK government published its central planning guidance Planning Policy Statement - Planning and Climate Change - PPS1 that requires all UK local planning authorities to adopt a "Merton rule" policy.^[2] Receiving Royal Assent in November 2008, the Planning and Energy Act 2008 enables all councils in England and Wales to adopt a Merton Rule as well as specify energy efficiency standards over and above that of building regulations.^[3]

It was inevitable that such a radical policy would trigger a debate amongst property developers, energy companies, and practitioners. The policy has been criticised for assuming that in all cases, renewable energy generation represents the most effective method of reducing CO₂ emissions at any given location. ^[4] However, the policy is an incentive for architects and engineers to design and build energy efficient buildings. The more energy efficient the building, the less renewable energy is required to meet a percentage target.[5]

The policy has also met resistance from developers because on site renewable energy increases their capital costs, but the revenue benefit accrues to the subsequent users. The advent of the UK Government's Feed In Tariffs (FIT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have significantly reduced the payback time for investment in renewable energy.[3] The most in-depth review of the Merton Rule was undertaken by Bath University in 2008: http://academicmum.typepad.com/lcw_learning_history_inno/2008/04/adrian-hewitt-o.html Link to UK Energy Savings Trust document: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Publication-Download/?oid=351758&aid=1034457

Mapping and monitoring the Merton Rule After several years of implementing prescriptive renewable policies like the Merton Rule, UK boroughs realized they had a problem with keeping track of what renewable equipment had been installed, and whether the 10% target was actually being met. To resolve this issue Merton Council has worked with Energence Ltd to develop an automated web based system for logging Birth Certificates for new building developments, and to monitor the renewables to confirm compliance with the policy. The system is available to boroughs, housing providers, renewable energy companies, and academic institutes, for a subscription fee. www.energence.co.uk

See also

• Energy policy of the United Kingdom
• Environmental planning
• Renewable Energy

References

1. ^ "On site renewable energy options". http://www.icax.co.uk/on_site_renewable_energy.html. 
2. ^ "Hansard". 25 January 2008. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080125/debtext/80125-0002.htm. 
3. ^ "Planning and Energy Bill 2007-08". 08 June 2009. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/planningandenergy.html. 
4. ^ Town and Country Planning In The UK (14th Ed.) - Cullingworth and Nadin

External links

• The Merton Rule (ICAX)
• The Merton Rule (Merton Council)