Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Protecting wetlands from new build threat
Building new homes poses a risk for wildlife. Now the Government says it is doing something about it
NEW plans to help safeguard England’s precious protected wetland sites by driving down nutrient pollution have been announced by the Government.
Nutrient pollution is considered an urgent problem for freshwater habitats and estuaries which provide a home to wetland birds, fish and insects.
Increased levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can speed up the growth of certain plants, disrupting natural processes and devastating wildlife, and while the government has taken steps to tackle the issue, the new measures aim to fast track progress in hotspot areas.
The measures will also have a knock-on benefit in allowing for the construction of sustainable new homes for families across the country. Due to excess levels of nutrients in certain English water catchments, and as result of complex EU-derived domestic legislation and case law, Local Planning Authorities can only approve a plan or a project if they are certain it will have no negative effect on legally protected sites for nature.
Natural England, in its statutory role as an adviser on the natural environment, has advised a total of 74 Local Planning Authorities on the nutrient impacts of new plans and projects on protected sites where those protected sites are in unfavourable condition due to excess nutrients.
Government plans will see a new legal duty on water companies in England to upgrade wastewater treatment works by 2030 in ‘nutrient neutrality’ areas to the highest achievable technological levels.
A new Nutrient Mitigation Scheme will also be established by Natural England, helping wildlife and boosting access to nature by investing in projects like new and expanded wetlands and woodlands.
This will allow local planning authorities to grant planning permission for new developments in areas with nutrient pollution issues, providing for the development of sustainable new homes and ensuring building can go ahead.
Defra and DLUHC will provide funding to pump prime the scheme.
The measures will tackle the longterm issue of nutrient pollution by significantly reducing pollution from existing homes in sensitive areas, the government says. Developers will also be able to purchase ‘nutrient credits’ which will discharge the requirements to provide mitigation. Natural England will accredit mitigation delivered through the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, enabling Local Planning Authorities to grant planning permission for developments which have secured the necessary nutrient credits. This will ensure developers have a streamlined way to mitigate nutrient pollution, allowing planned building to continue and creating new habitats across the country.
In a statement the government said: ”These plans build on our comprehensive plan to significantly reduce water pollution, including proposed targets under the Environment Act to reduce the key sources of river pollution; a plan for the largest water company infrastructure project ever to reduce discharges from storm overflows; new funding to the Environment Agency to increase farm inspections to at least 4,000 inspections a year by 2023 and new farming schemes that will reward farmers and land managers for environmental actions, such as introducing cover crops and buffering rivers, to reduce run-off.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice, the MP for Camborne and Redruth, added: “The plans we have announced today [Wednesday, July 20] will protect England’s wildlife and precious habitats from the impacts of nutrient pollution, whilst ensuring communities receive the new homes they need.
“This is just one part of ongoing Government action to improve water quality across the country, from targets in our world-leading Environment Act to action on storm overflows.”
Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said: “It is essential that new homes do not impair the quality of our rivers, streams and wetlands.
“These measures will ensure the development can take place, but only where there is practical action taken to protect our precious aquatic habitats.”
Natural England chair Tony Juniper said: “Wetlands and estuaries are home to a wide variety of internationally-important wildlife species, from wading birds to insects and from fish to special plants.
“Pollution from excess nutrients is causing serious damage to many of these fragile places and if we are to meet our national targets for Nature recovery it is vital that we take concerted, coordinated action to protect them.
“The duty on water companies and the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme mark significant steps forward, and will help join up the various approaches to improving water quality and bring about multiple other benefits.
“They will provide the tools needed to help planning authorities, developers and water and land managers to both build new homes and support the healthy rivers and lakes that are vital for restoring Nature and creating beautiful places for everyone to enjoy.
“The new legal duty on water and sewerage companies in England to upgrade certain wastewater plants will be introduced via a Government amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.”
He added: “We want these improvements to be factored in for the purposes of a Habitats Regulation Assessment.”
It is essential that new homes do not impair the quality of our wetlands GREG CLARK MP