The government hopes that tens of thousands of new homes will be delivered across England, thanks to funding and partnership work, to unlock stalled homes across England, and support its ambition to build 1.5 million homes.
Round 2 of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund will ensure building the homes we need will not come at the expense of the environment, with the £47 million boost being used to protect local rivers and precious habitats.
Photo credit: Beth Macdonald
As part of the government’s plans to get Britain building again, the Fund will boost housebuilding through locally led schemes, such as creating new wetlands and upgrading septic tanks, to enable development is sustainable.
Seven areas across the country will benefit from a share of £45 million to unblock stalled housing, help more families on to the property ladder and deliver improvements to the natural environment.
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.
Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem in areas across England, with increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorous damaging natural habitats and harming wildlife. This can impact housebuilding in areas where the waterways are affected by excess nutrient pollution. The government recognises the need to protect these habitats and clean up our water while delivering the homes this country needs.
More widely, and in addition to this new funding, the government has begun the work of cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas. They are putting water companies under special measures through the Water Bill, which will strengthen regulation including new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers.
The government are also carrying out an Independent Water Commission to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up rivers, lakes and seas for good.