2006-11-21 18:23:002026-11-10 08:27:03Energy CommentaryMerton Rule 4 Havering/blog/item/merton-rule-4-haveringhttps://mertonrule4havering.blogspot.com/2006/11/does-merton-rule-affect-local.htmlA Merton Rule For Havering (original blog, 2006)
Does The Merton Rule Affect Local Development?
Once concern that has been voiced, is that a rule mandating inclusion of renewables could damage business in the Borough, by discouraging new commercial development. This is ironic, as the Merton Rule was introduced to safeguard businesses in the LB Merton against rising energy prices - by empowering them to produce their own energy and power.
In response to this question, the London Borough of Merton state on their website:
"In our experience so far with the developments that have been implemented here in Merton it has not affected the development industry. The developers involved in applications have indicated that it has added 3-4% to the build cost of their schemes. It has certainly not put one developer off as they have come forward with a second and third scheme in the borough that all require renewables. However to help achieve this success it is important that discussions are initiated early on during the design phase to ensure that equipment is incorporated effectively. This experience has also been confirmed by colleagues at Croydon Council. They are already successfully implementing a draft 10% policy from their second deposit UDP. This policy takes the next logical step on from Merton’s and covers all development, therefore including residential developments."
In response to this question, the London Borough of Merton state on their website:
"In our experience so far with the developments that have been implemented here in Merton it has not affected the development industry. The developers involved in applications have indicated that it has added 3-4% to the build cost of their schemes. It has certainly not put one developer off as they have come forward with a second and third scheme in the borough that all require renewables. However to help achieve this success it is important that discussions are initiated early on during the design phase to ensure that equipment is incorporated effectively. This experience has also been confirmed by colleagues at Croydon Council. They are already successfully implementing a draft 10% policy from their second deposit UDP. This policy takes the next logical step on from Merton’s and covers all development, therefore including residential developments."
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A campaign blog by Gavin D. J. Harper, written in November 2006, on the Merton Rule in the London Borough of Havering: a planning policy requiring major developments to generate a share of their energy from on-site renewables. The blog followed his emails to local politicians and council officers, and the council's reply. Archived here as early work.