Natural England’s ‘nutrient neutrality’ measures are designed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in rivers which can impact wildlife negatively, and they have affected housebuilding plans in certain areas of the county.
The measures are seen as a hurdle by some in the construction sector who claim that nutrient pollution caused by housebuilding is ‘negligible’ compared to other sources like agriculture and existing built environment wastewater.
Natural England has put the rivers Eden, Derwent and Bassenthwaite – and the River Kent in South Cumbria – on the protected list, meaning all new developments in these catchments need to evidence nutrient neutrality prior to commencement.
Genesis Homes says it has 300 homes over three developments within Carlisle held up as a direct result of these measures, as well as numerous other potential sites that it is no longer progressing.
According to John Blue, the land and sales director at Genesis Homes, home builders are now seriously considering ‘pulling the plug’ on any planned development in areas impacted by the restrictions.
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“We all want cleaner rivers,” he said. “However nutrient neutrality is one of the biggest obstacles facing the house building industry with planning applications for up to 160,000 homes across the UK currently on pause as a direct result.
“When you consider that the contribution of home builders in nitrogen and phosphorus levels in rivers is negligible at less than 1 per cent of the pollution, then you will get a sense of why the industry is so frustrated with these unnecessary limits.
“We already know of some larger, national house builders which are actively considering avoiding any development in the affected areas and this highlights how these measures are denying Cumbria of much-needed investment.
“The UK is experiencing one of its worst housing crises in history and these restrictions are only adding to the problem.
“Natural England and the Government really need to address this restrictive and prohibitive legislation to allow more new homes to be built and breathe life into our local communities.”
According to John, the halt in home building resulting from nutrient neutrality rules is creating wider ripple effects on the economy, leading to job losses and more at risk.
“The construction industry already has a skills gap which ourselves and other house builders are working hard to address, but frustrating delays and obstacles imposed like these only makes matters worse and could cause serious harm to our supply chain for years to come.
“People’s livelihoods are on hold until this issue is resolved,” he said.
Genesis Homes is due to start work on sites at Seaton, Carlisle and Burgh by Sands in the coming months.
A Natural England spokesperson said: “Natural England has demonstrated that nature recovery and growth can go hand in hand, including providing houses.
“The solutions to tackle river pollution and get houses built are there, having been successfully implemented in other parts of the country.
“Natural England plays an advisory role only in the planning process and we are ready to work with both planning authorities and developers on how to put those solutions in place.
“We are committed to ensuring that sustainable development and protecting nature go hand-in-hand.
“To date, we have responded to all formal consultations sent to us by the Planning Authority in Cumbria,” they said.
Nationally, Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme has offered credits to build 4,730 homes by creating 260 hectares of new habitat.