Funding will help unlock 28,000 homes, according to MHCLG
The government has named seven councils set to benefit from £47m in funding to unblock thousands of homes stalled due to nutrient neutrality rules.
Work is expected to start shortly on measures to protect local rivers and habitats in an effort to ensure that new homes do not damage the environment.
The Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, which was initially announced in the Budget last week, aims to help unlock a total of 28,000 homes currently being stalled due to nutrient neutrality.
The Home Builders Federation has previously claimed that 150,000 homes across the country are being held up by nutrient regulations.
Nutrient pollution occurs when increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus enter natural habitats. New housing can contribute to this, although housebuilding advocates have argued that farming creates a far greater contribution.
Broadland District Council, East Devon District Council, Fareham Borough Council, and High Peak Borough Council are all set to benefit from the funding.
North West Leicestershire District Council, West Berkshire Council and Westmoreland and Furness Council complete the list.
Housing and Planning 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.”
The Fund includes £8.8 million to unlock more than 6,000 homes around the Norfolk Broads and the River Wensum, £4m for 1,000 homes around the River Axe, and nearly £7m for more than 2,700 homes near the Solent.
>>See also: HBF welcomes ‘more pragmatic’ approach to nutrient neutrality as Labour commits to reform
>>See also: How do we stop the nutrient neutrality problem holding up development?
There will also be more than £2.7m to help unlock more than 3,000 homes around the river Wye, more than £2.5m for 700 homes around the River Mease, and more than £2.4m for more than 800 homes near the River Lambourn.
Finally, more than £15m will be spent to help deliver more than 13,000 around the River Eden, River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake, River Kent and Esthwaite Water Catchment.
The money will be spent on measures such as creating new wetlands and upgrading septic tanks.
Twenty of the largest sites impacted by nutrient neutrality will each receive a further £100,000 to support planning teams who will implement pollution solutions across the local area.
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