NEW houses in greater Nottingham will have to meet at least 20% of their energy needs from renewable sources, under proposals.

Councils have agreed plans to force developers to make sure one fifth of the energy used in new buildings is green in 2010-11.

They will be expected to increase the amount of green energy used to 23.5% in 2012-13 and to 27% between 2013 and 2016.

From 2016, the Government will require 100% of the energy needed by new developments to be from renewable sources.

The proposals are part of plans put forward by the councils across the Nottingham housing market area, which will govern the development of homes, transport, services and retail outlets during the next 20 years.

The "option for consultation" document includes potential locations for 32,000 of the 52,000 homes the Government wants to be built in greater Nottingham during the next two decades.

But the document also defines shared policies on climate change, employment, housing size and mix, travellers' sites, transport, services, culture, sport and tourism.

The public consultation will be launched on January 28.

Matt Gregory, a senior planning officer who works on behalf of all the councils involved, said the renewable energy requirement, known as a Merton Rule, after the London Borough of Merton which pioneered the approach, was a minimum.

He said: "We think there may be opportunities to go above the 20% Merton Rule where it is viable. Many of the developments are green-field.

"It may be that features can be incorporated in developments to take them beyond that 20%."

Renewable energy can come from on-site generation, a wind turbine or solar panels, or by a contract with a recognised green energy provider, such as the city's own Enviroenergy.

Nottingham City Council introduced a Merton Rule in 2007 for developments of more than 1,000 sq metres. That will be doubled if plans are approved.

Coun Katrina Bull, portfolio holder for climate change at the city council, said: "I would have liked to have a higher target but we have to be realistic and it is good we are phasing it in over time."

Coun Bull acknowledged that new building will account for only a small proportion of energy use but said: "It is important we set our standards high."

She said the "easy option" for developers is to tap into the city's district heating scheme run by Enviroenergy, which uses energy generated by waste incineration at Eastcroft.

If the current proposals are approved, councils in Rushcliffe, Ashfield, Gedling, Broxtowe and Nottingham will adopt the 20% requirement.

The requirements for non residential developments are less stringent. There is a 10% green energy requirement until 2019, when the Government will impose a 100% requirement. Commercial developments are less profitable and there is concern developers could be put off if demands were too high.

Erewash Borough Council will consult on a tougher requirement.

The borough, which straddles the Derby and Nottingham housing market areas, is proposing to introduce a 25% requirement for green energy in 2010-13, 44% in 2013-16, and 100% from 2016.

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk