The Merton Rule, which is under threat of being scrapped by the government, has been given a ringing endorsement by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Rynd Smith, the RTPI’s director of policy, said the institute strongly supported the Merton Rule’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and allowing local authorities to innovate in policy making at local level.

“The Merton Rule is an innovative piece of local policy which shows how planning can make an important contribution to tackling climate change,” Smith said.

“There is a role for its objectives to be taken up by national policy, but this should not prevent ongoing innovation at local level.”

The RTPI recently awarded the Merton Rule its Silver Jubilee Cup, the top prize in planning.

Source

Building Sustainable Design