Seven areas in England will benefit from a share of £45m to ‘unblock’ new housing developments that have been stalled by rules on nutrient neutrality.
The Government said the second round of its local nutrient mitigation fund would ‘boost housebuilding?through locally led schemes, such as creating new wetlands and upgrading septic tanks, to enable development is sustainable’.
Twenty of the largest sites impacted by nutrient neutrality will also get a further £100,000 to help planning teams implement pollution solutions.
The Government said it recognised the need to protect river habitats and wildlife from increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous while meeting its target of delivering 1.5 million new homes during this parliament.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said: ‘We must build more homes across the country and unlock growth, but this must not come at the expense of our natural environment.
‘Through this fund and alongside major reforms to the planning system, we will accelerate housebuilding and deliver nature recovery, creating a win-win outcome for both the economy and for nature.’
