Private Members' Bills on Merton-plus rule and procurement of green buildings

The following two Private Members' Bills, currently being debated in Parliament, are likely to be of interest to the property, construction, renewable energy and public sectors:

The Planning and Energy Bill would give local planning authorities greater powers to require on-site renewable energy in new developments. The Bill has passed all the various stages of the House of Commons and is scheduled to receive its second reading in the House of Lords on 13 June 2008.

The Public Sector Buildings (Energy Performance) Bill would require central government departments and their agencies to procure only buildings which have an energy performance rating of A or B. The Bill was introduced on 5 December 2007 in the House of Commons and is scheduled to receive its second reading on 6 June 2008.