“The ‘Merton Rule“ is the groundbreaking planning policy, pioneered by the London Borough of Merton, which requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the built environment. Hundreds of local authorities look set to follow Merton’s lead, which will impact all new major development projects throughout the UK.”

The policy was adopted in October 2003 in the London Borough of Merton’s Unitary Development Plan.

A Unitary Development Plan - for those of you who aren”t in the know! - is a statutory document ( written by the Local Authority ) which sets out the strategic framework for the use of land and detailed policies and specific proposals for development. For a list of other Boroughs which have now adopted this policy, check out the Merton Rule page, which is the definitive resourcce promoting planning policies for renewable energy. There are also case studies demonstrating how renewable energy systems can be incorporated into development.

Full text of the policy reads:

” The Council will encourage the energy efficient design of buildings and their layout and orientation on site. All new non-residential developments above a threshold of 1,000 sq metres will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements. The use of sustainable building materials and the re-use of materials will also be encouraged. As will the use of recycled aggregates in the construction of buildings. This will be subject to the impact on the amenity of the local environment, taking into account the existing character of the area..”

thanks to uniteddiversity.com for highlighting this