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The Federation is concerned that allowing local authorities to set their own "soviet-style planning" regulations is incompatible with the target if 240,000 new homes a year.  Instead, the Federation is seeking "a nationally agreed framework."

At the crux of the matter is what's known as the Merton Rule.  The Merton Rule is a planning policy, pioneered in the London Borough of Merton, which "requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the built environment."  The majority of the policies that implement the Merton Rule require 10% renewables.

In June 2006, Yvette Cooper, the then Minister for Housing and Planning, announced that "Government expect all planning authorities to include policies in their development plans that require a percentage of the energy in new developments to come from on-site renewables."

Martin Caton, Labour MP for Gower, raised a Private Member's Bill earlier this year "to allow councils to include in their local development plans reasonable requirements for higher energy efficiency standards and to promote microgeneration and the generation of renewable and low-carbon energy."

This bill received all party support, but was delayed by then local government minister Phil Woolas (now Environment Secretary).  The reason for Woolas' intervention was that permitting any such higher standards might deter speculative builders' "development viability."

Martin Caton, responding to Stewart Baseley's letter, said:
"Every single time any government over the past 25 years has sought to increase minimum energy standards under building regulations, these have been delayed and watered down by the volume housebuilders' lobby. I am glad it is now committed to building only zero-carbon homes from 2016. But in the intervening decade, approaching 2 million new homes are due to be constructed at less than optimum ecological standards."

Dr David Clubb, Centre for Sustainable Energy, said:
"As someone who works daily with local authorities, developers and businesses, I can tell you that Merton-type rules are having a huge impact on the deployment of renewables and are causing a sea-change in awareness. The government should let local authorities continue to push for action on renewables, despite its own reluctance to act."

Survey - Green Costs Overestimated
A World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) survey finds green costs are overestimated by 300%. It goes on to say that key players in real estate and construction misjudge the costs and benefits of "green" buildings, creating a major barrier to more energy efficiency in the building sector.

Respondents to a 1400 person global survey estimated the additional cost of building green at 17% above conventional construction costs, more than triple the true cost difference of about 5%. At the same time, survey respondents put greenhouse gas emissions by buildings at 19% of world total, while the actual number of 40% is double this.

George David, United Technologies Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive, said:
"The global construction boom in the developing world has created a tremendous opportunity to build differently and dramatically decrease otherwise energy demands.

"Existing technologies combined with common sense design can increase energy efficiency by 35% and reduce heating costs by 80% for the average building in industrialised markets."

Bjorn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, said:
"In order to achieve a step change in energy efficiency in buildings, there is a need for strongly supportive policies and regulatory frameworks. Governments and local authorities need to develop sound policies."

The study also found that fewer than one in seven industry respondents has participated directly in a green building project. Involvement ranges from a high of 45% in Germany to just 5% in India. About 20% of architects, engineers and developers have been involved in green building projects, compared to just 9% of owners and tenants.

Buildings already represent approximately 40% of primary energy use globally and energy consumption in buildings is projected to rise substantially in the world's most populous and fast growing countries such as China and India.

Bruno Lafont, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge (a building materials manufacturer), said:
"The world is undergoing rapid transformation, with strong demographic and economic growth driving a move towards urbanisation on an unprecedented scale. We as industry leaders have a responsibility to ensure that this growth is achieved in a sustainable manner."