Bristol backs toughest stance on renewable energy

Councillor Harrison outside an empty office block which is planned to be rebuilt, and to which the Merton rule would apply

Bristol City Council have backed a plan from Councillor Neil Harrison (Lib Dem, Cotham Ward) to make property developers provide renewable energy as part of new commercial and residential buildings in the city. This will give Bristol one of the toughest such rules in the country.

The rule will require developers to ensure that at least 20% of the energy needs of the building are met by renewable sources - either on-site or nearby. Such energy sources might include solar power, heat transfer pumps, wind turbines, combined heat/power generators, biomass boilers and similar.

Councillor Harrison says, “This approach will make a massive dent in the city’s carbon footprint in years to come. Bristol has a target to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. Taking this step will make that achievable and take us closer to becoming a Green Capital.”

This type of policy is already in operation in many other local authorities. It is commonly known as “The Merton Rule” after the London Borough where it was first introduced. A recent report from South Bank University concluded that Merton Rules work well and that developers are generally positive about complying with them.

Once implemented, the rule promoted by Councillor Harrison will be among the very toughest in the country. It will require 20% renewable energy (compared to 10% in other places) and apply to all scales of development (often only larger buildings are covered). Due to the required consultation period, the rule is likely to come into effect in 2009, although it is hoped that aspects will be introduced earlier where legally possible.

Councillor Harrison says, “Too many buildings, large and small, are still being built without any care being given their energy needs. Developers try to build as cheaply as possible and we end up with buildings which have energy needs way above what they should be. My approach means they have to reduce overall energy needs as part of the design.”

“This rule will be particularly great for new social housing. Residents with low incomes will benefit from lower fuel bills as renewable sources will replace the need to buy power from fossil fuels. It is also good news for local businesses which supply renewable energy devices. This is a growth market and I want Bristol to be at the forefront, not lagging behind as it has been.”

Councillor Harrison concludes, “We need tough action on the environment to meet even Labour’s modest carbon reduction targets. They simply aren’t doing enough nationally or locally, so I and the Liberal Democrats felt we needed to act.”