CENTRAL government should renew its commitment to renewable energy, says a succession of disgruntled local government commentators.

Ministers have performed a damaging U-turn on council powers to compel environment-friendly development, reports the Local Government Chronicle (Aug 30).

Whitehall previously supported local authorities in imposing the so-called Merton rule that all new buildings must be partially powered by renewable sources.

But a secret policy draft document suggests that the Communities and Local Government department may now prefer a case-by-case approach rather than a blanket prescription. Environmentalists fear that the Government has caved in to pressure from the building industry.

Government is also guilty of “misjudged cowardice”, says a Local Government Information Unit sustainability expert in Public Servant (Sept). Politicians are being outpaced by the private sector in the fight against climate change, says David Janner-Klausner.

But ministers may be able to redeem themselves by allowing citizens interest-free loans and council tax rebates for installing eco-friendly energy sources to their homes, as suggested by a New Local Government Network report Finding the Energy. Councillors and neighbourhood forums, rather than civil servants, should set planning permission standards for solar panels and wind turbines, it suggests.

If all else fails, we can take solace from a glass of locally sourced wine. Thanks to climate change there are now nearly 400 vineyards in England and Wales, reports Local Council Review (Sept).

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