The UK government has revealed its intention to discard water pollution restrictions that were introduced during the EU era for housing developments. This move is aimed at facilitating the construction of more homes across the nation.
According to the government, this alteration could lead to the creation of up to 100,000 new residences by the year 2030. The proposed changes would relax regulations governing the construction of homes near water bodies situated within protected regions.
The government contends that the impact of water pollution originating from new housing is relatively minor and can be offset through a £280 million investment initiative.
However, this decision has been met with vehement opposition from organizations like the Wildlife Trust, which has accused the government of reprehensible conduct.
Craig Bennett, the CEO of the Wildlife Trust, expressed concerns about the potential consequences, stating that this change could result in an escalation of pollution in rivers, exacerbating the water quality issue, and failing to address the underlying housing problems.
At present, 62 councils responsible for safeguarding protected areas in England enforce regulations that prevent new developments unless they adhere to a “nutrient neutral” standard. Builders are required to demonstrate that their projects will not introduce polluting elements like phosphates and nitrates into nearby water sources in order to attain the neutral classification.
Water pollution arising from housing developments is particularly concerning due to the wastewater, sewage, and construction runoff they can generate. These elements can compromise water quality, imperil wildlife, and trigger excessive growth of algae.
Initially introduced by the EU in 2017, the nutrient neutral regulations aimed to ensure that any development or undertaking would not harm local wetlands and waterways situated within protected zones.
The government’s plan to discard these rules is set to be implemented through an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which is presently undergoing consideration in the House of Lords.
