The government has insisted it remains committed to the nation-wide implementation of its controversial Merton Rule.

In its latest Planning Policy Statement (PPS), Whitehall rejected criticism from various sectors within the construction industry that the Merton Rule is simplistic and impractical.

Under the controversial rule - named after the London borough that pioneered it - all commercial buildings must source at least ten per cent of their energy from on-site renewable technologies.

Dismissing concerns that such a proposal amounts to a cumbersome and inappropriate 'one size fits all' regulation, housing secretary Yvette Cooper defended the scheme and said that all councils need to "do more to back local green energy".

"We need to be environmentally ambitious about all buildings, not just housing," Ms Cooper insisted. "We don't just need eco homes - we need eco offices, eco shops, eco pubs and clubs."

The PPS outlined a series of green measures that councils will be expected to take, centring around the installation of renewable energy generators such as wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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