Merton Rule passes committee stage

Michael Fallon MP’s Planning and Energy Bill was backed by 45 votes to nil. After the committee stage it will go back before Parliament on 9 May.

The controversial rule, created by the London Borough of Merton in 2003, sets a 10% quota for renewable energy use in new developments.

If the bill passes, councils could legally demand quotas for on-site and near-site renewable energy in their development plans.

Supporters of the bill believe the government is trying to water down the quotas which have been adopted by more than 100 councils following Merton’s example.

The government issued planning advice on Merton rules in December which says they must be “flexible”. But the government remains opposed to Fallon’s bill which enjoys cross-party support and has the backing of three former environment ministers.

Fallon said that the bill gives councils statutory protection if they want to adopt Merton-style policies. “The problem is the government is only giving guidance and in two or three years time there may be different guidance,” he said.