The government is set to U-turn on plans to scrape nutrient neutrality rules for housebuilders.
Home secretary Michael Gove announced the government would scrap the EU-era nutrient neutrality rules to build new more than 100,000 homes by the end of the decade in August 2023.
Since, the government has received huge backlash from campaigners, with Royal Society for the Protection of Birds director of conservation Katie-Jo Luxton warning that if the rules were scrapped, “pollution will accumulate unchecked, and our rivers face total ecological collapse.”
Developers, on the other hand, welcomed the nutrient neutrality rules scrap as they were blocking plans to build new homes.
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The Guardian reported that the U-turn is due to the double byelection loss but government is still looking for ways to “unlock” building homes.
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “As we said following the vote in September, these reforms would have unlocked 100,000 much needed homes while protecting and improving the environment. We are considering next steps so we can explore how we can unlock the homes we need.”
Wildlife Trusts director of policy Joan Edwards said the group is “relieved” the government is abandoning its plans.
“Housebuilding and nature restoration must not be pitted against each other – both are necessary and possible,” Edwards added.
