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Merton- Who is it? What is it?

  • Well it’s not a ‘who is? ’The Merton Rule’ is a groundbreaking innovative planning policy, pioneered by the London Borough of Merton. It is focussed on building more sustainable buildings and 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.
  • More than 120 Authorities now have a policy adopted or in draft form in their development plans and a further 50 are considering introducing policies.
  • All new non-residential development above a threshold of 1000 sqm will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements. All new residential development where 10 or more are to be constructed are also expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements

European Level (EPBD) – In Brief.

  • The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was published in January 2003. The Directive has far-reaching implications for the owners, operators and developers of all buildings in Europe (both domestic and non-domestic) and will play a vital role in delivering step-change in buildings-related energy efficiency. However, practical implementation of the Directive will be very demanding and a pressing need exists to start the essential preparatory work as quickly as possible since legislation must be in place in all 25 EU Member States by January 2006. Key provisions of the Directive are:
  • minimum requirements for the energy performance of all new buildings
  • minimum requirements for the energy performance of large existing buildings Subject to major renovation
  • energy certification of all buildings (with frequently visited buildings providing public services being required to prominently display the energy certificate)
  • Regular mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings.
National Level PPS22 & PPS1 (Part L)
  • PPS 22 provides the national planning policy framework for planning for renewable energy.
  • PPS 22 Designed to set a positive framework for England that will enable Energy White Paper (EWP) objectives to be delivered on the ground.
  • PPS 22 This aims to put the UK on a path to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% by 2050, with real progress by 2020, and to maintain reliable and competitive energy supplies.
  • PPS1 require high design quality. The Council will be seeking a sustainable and innovative development which respects and enhances local character and distinctiveness and pays due regard to the character and layout of the existing housing adjoining the site and the Green Belt beyond.
  • PPS 1 states that “Development plans should ensure that sustainable development is pursued in an integrated manner, in line with the principles for sustainable development set out in the UK strategy.”

The Climate Change Levy (CCL) – explained

  • Climate change is a huge environmental challenge facing the world today. To contribute to its reduction the UK Government has introduced the Climate Change Levy (CCL), an energy tax which is applied to UK businesses who consume more than 12,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Its purpose is to encourage businesses to be more energy efficient in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is expected to cut annual carbon emissions by 2.5 million tons a year. It was first introduced in April 2001 with a rate for electricity consumption of 0.43p/kWh. In April 2007 the rate was increased to 0.441p/kWh on the amount of electricity used. The levy is collected by electricity suppliers and is paid directly to the Government
  • Some businesses may not have to pay Climate Change Levy (CCL): If your business consumes less than 12,000 kWh per year
  • Domestic users and 5% VAT registered users (non-business charity users). However, electricity used for business purposes by registered charities will be charged CCL
  • If your power is obtained from a renewable source
  • Public transport services that are 0% VAT registered
  • Intensive energy users are covered by an agreement negotiated with the Government and are decided on a case-by-case basis. Qualifying businesses will need to agree energy saving targets with the Government

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

  • To achieve the rapid expansion in renewable energy required by the 2010 target, the Department of Trade and Industry (the Department) introduced in April 2002 the Renewable Obligation. The Obligation requires all electricity suppliers to source a growing percentage of their sales each year from renewable sources. The scheme pushes up the demand for renewable energy, thus increasing the revenue that generators can earn which in turn encourages developers to invest in new generating capacity. Electricity suppliers pass the higher cost of purchasing renewable electricity on to consumers. The Renewable Obligation will cost consumers £1 billion per annum by 2010 rising To £1.5 billion per annum by 2015

Code For Sustainability

The CSH will assess the sustainability of a home by awarding points in nine design categories. Points achieved from each category are totaled, and the total translated into a star rating for the home: Level 1 requires 33.3 points; Level 2 is set at 43 and so on up to Level 6 at 64.9 points. The nine categories are:

  • Energy and carbon dioxide (including insulation, electric lighting, heating systems, domestic appliances) Materials (responsible sourcing of construction and finishing elements)
  • Ecology (protection or enhancement of site habitats, use of the BRE’s Ecological Value Checklist)
  • Waste (household recycling facilities, site waste management, composting facilities)
  • Pollution (insulants with low global warming potential, low NOx emissions)
  • Health and well-being (specific daylight factors for particular rooms, sound insulation, and adherence to the principles of Lifetime Homes)
  • Water (internal and external potable water consumption) Surface water run-off (rainwater recovery, attenuation of surface water run-off, reduction of flood risk)
  • Management (Home User Guide, information on the site and its surroundings, adoption of the Considerate Constructors Scheme)
As with the BREEAM scheme, the CSH awards points for achieving levels of sustainability in each of the nine categories. The totaled points are then translated into a star rating for the home. One star is the entry level for a sustainable home (above the minimum requirements of the 2006 Building Regulations) and six stars reflects “exemplar development” in sustainability terms.
Not all the categories carry the same importance. For example, minimum standards for energy and water efficiency have been set at each of the Code’s six levels. House designers must also achieve minimum standards for materials, surface water run-off and waste to achieve Level 1. But there are no minimum standards set for the pollution, health and well-being, management and ecology categories. In practice builders aiming for Level 1 will probably ignore them, and achieving points in these categories will only become a factor when aiming for Level 2 or higher.
Achieving Level 1 for energy and water (a 10% improvement over 2006 Building Regulations) must involve gher thermal insulation, improved fabric air permeability, and the use of flow reducing or aerating taps throughout. But then designers can opt for a higher star rating by improving on the minimum standards for energy and water and by addressing different issues.
To rise to Level 3, a home will need to be 25% more energy efficient compared to Part L 2006. This will require investment in district heating, or low carbon technologies such as solar thermal panels or bio-fuel boilers, dual-flush toilets, and improved surface water and waste management. Extra points can be gained from investment in providing drying space (obviating the need for tumble dryers), providing a room that can be set up as a home office, and the use of more environmentally-sound materials.
Level 6 – the zero-carbon level – will require the use of solar panels, bio-fuel boilers or wind turbines in order to replace entirely the energy taken from the national grid. The additional points to achieve a six-star rating must require investment in energy efficient appliances, reduction of surface water run-off, and the application of a site waste-management plan.