LVA has been following with interest the government’s recent attempts to amend nutrient neutrality requirements to encourage housebuilding in England.
In August 2023, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP announced plans to relax rules that have blocked housing schemes being delivered in areas where protected waterways are at risk from pollution. Proposed changes to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill sought to remove the requirement for developers to demonstrate nutrient neutrality for their schemes, alongside a government package of mitigation measures and funding designed to protect rivers from nitrate and phosphate pollution.
Whilst it was considered that the new measures will significantly boost the economy and enable the delivery of 100,000 new homes, the House of Lords on 13 September 2023 ultimately voted to block the government's plan to relax restrictions on water pollution. It remains to be seen where the government go from here, but on 23 September 2023 The Times published an article claiming Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is believed to be drafting a new bill in order to get the proposed amendments through.
25.9.2023
