Labour has announced they will address nutrient neutrality rules as they attempt to reform the planning system
Nutrient neutrality rules are set to be changed by Labour to free up houses stuck in the planning system(Image credit: Getty Images)
Nutrient neutrality rules are set to be changed to remove restrictions to homebuilding, allowing up to 120,000 more homes to be built each year.
The Labour Government have notified conservation groups that any changes will be done “without weakening environment protections” but that unlocking homes stuck by these environmental protection measures will also take priority.
The changes should make it easier for homebuilders looking to gain planning permission without having to meet difficult planning conditions that slowdown homebuilding.
What are the planned changes to nutrient neutrality rules?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed that changes to nutrient neutrality rules will be brought in by Labour.
A spokesman for the MHCLG said: “We will bring forward solutions to unlock the building of much-needed homes affected by nutrient neutrality.”
“We will implement solutions to unlock the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. We will also take steps to make sure we are building more high-quality, well-designed and sustainable homes and creating places that promote nature recovery.”
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and Environment Secretary Steve Reed sent a letter on 20 July saying that “nature recovery remains a top priority alongside the need to overhaul the planning system, grow the economy and reach net zero”.
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Angela Rayner said in a letter to conservation groups that “nature recovery remains a top priority" as she attempts to reform the planning system(Image credit: Getty Images)
How is nutrient neutrality holding up homebuilding?
Nutrient neutrality may prevent projects from receiving or having planning permission taken away if it is proved a house could have an affect on the surrounding environment.
High nutrient levels in certain areas can lead to seasonal algae blooms, which disrupt the river ecosystem's growth, oxygen production, and biodiversity. Consequently, Natural England may deem such areas unsuitable for development, particularly in conservation areas, which have strict planning conditions for development approval.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) reported that many self-build projects were stalled due to nutrient pollution, causing significant planning delays. They estimated that without addressing nutrient neutrality, up to 120,000 new homes annually could be halted and even more delayed.
Nutrient neutrality needs to be 'quicker and more efficient'
The Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper, said he was "delighted" by Labour's announcement to change nutrient neutrality rules.
He said: “If we are serious about achieving nature recovery, we can’t diminish the protections. But what we can do is achieve those protections and go beyond them in ways that are quicker and more efficient."
He praised the MHCLG and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) working together on the matter.
He explained a new approach whereby "we look at the entire catchment, the levels of pollution going into the rivers and wetlands from all sources, we can get a much better handle on what needs to be done”.
Rule change comes after House of Lords blocked nutrient neutrality removal
A planned removal of nutrient neutrality rules by the Conservative Government was blocked last September by a Labour-led House of Lords showing Labour's intent now is not to remove but modify the existing rules.
Mr Juniper explained: “Labour in opposition blocked a proposal to do away with requirements under the habitats regulations to mitigate for damage caused to protected sites through additional water pollution.
“What we’re talking about here is really a mitigation compared to what needs to be done to protect the environment into the long term, which is about investment in waste water treatment, to be thinking much more about green infrastructure, and to be thinking at landscape scale.
“This can be done. It requires some political leadership, and happily we have that set out from the secretaries of state for DEFRA and MHCLG.”
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
