IMAGE: WELSH OAK FRAME
Ina surprising U-turn, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has announced his intentions to scrap all building restrictions relating to nutrient neutrality. In April 2022, 74 local authorities in England had been named by Natural England as having adverse nutrient pollution across their natural places. Construction was identified as being the main cause, leading the government to place restrictions on new developments in the affected areas.
However, the government recently announced its plans to lift all nutrient neutrality requirements. It is believed that the regulations have led to the construction of over 100,000 homes, including self-build projects, being delayed or scrapped. During the announcement, Gove blamed ‘defective’ EU laws and stated that by amending the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the red tape that has scuppered thousands of projects will be removed.