End of the Line for the Merton Rule?

The government is set to scupper an award-winning planning policy which encourages green developments, according to reports.

An article in today's Guardian newspaper claimed that the government is set to abolish the "Merton rule", which requires developers to ensure that at least ten per cent of energy required by new developments in the area is produced on-site from renewable sources.

It is claimed that the change will happen due to lobbying from the Home Builder's Federation, which supports national, rather than local, targets.

A source at the HBF said: "We are fully in support of reaching the government's target ensuring all homes are zero-carbon by 2016.

"However, we believe that having different targets in different areas is unworkable and confusing for our members."

Merton Council won the RTPI's Climate Change award for introducing the policy, which has since been adopted by more than 150 councils.

The revised policy is set to be announced in the government's new planning policy on climate change, which was out to consultation earlier this year.