Wildlife charity described axing of homebuilding pollution rules as “win for nature” - Kent Wildlife Trust
- Kent Wildlife Trust say they are “delighted” that the House of Lords has blocked government plan to weaken restrictions on water pollution in a bid to aid developers.
- On Wednesday (14 September) MPs voted against the amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that would remove “nutrient neutrality” rules.
- Nutrient neutrality is a means of ensuring that a development plan or project does not add to existing nutrient burdens within catchments, so there is no net increase in nutrients as a result of the plan or project.
- In Kent, the amendment would have put further pressure on the River Stour, an area conservationists described as being flooded with nitrates and phosphates from various sources, housebuilding being just one of them.
Kent Wildlife Trust has described the blocking of government plans to scrap “nutrient neutrality” rules as a “win for nature”, but vows to continue to fight for greater protection for our rivers.
On Wednesday, 14 September, Peers voted against the amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which would have seen pollution laws relaxed to aid developers.
Nutrient neutrality is a means of ensuring that a development plan or project does not add to existing nutrient burdens within catchments, so there is no net increase in nutrients as a result of the plan or project.
In Kent, the axing of the EU law would have put further pressure on the River Stour, which is already flooded with nitrates and phosphates.
The plans can not be resubmitted to the House of Lords because of the late stage in which the government had attempted to introduce it. The amendment was defeated by 203 votes to 156, a majority of 47.