Housing over the environment? Is a question posed by the publication last week by the government of an 82-page National Planning Policy Framework report outlining what it hopes to do – and how. It is subject to public
consultation, but there are serious concerns that housing will take priority over nature and the environment, The Guardian reports.
Changes to environmental rules for new housing and infrastructure schemes are being proposed as part of the changes now that councils have been given mandatory targets to deliver a total of 370,000 homes a year. The approach proposes to use funding from development to deliver environmental improvements, and move more responsibility for these improvements onto the state rather than developers. The aim is to allow development to come forward while ensuring better environmental results the government believes.
Writing in Construction Enquirer, Grant Prior says that ‘developers will be able to pay into a new Nature Restoration Fund to meet their environmental obligations rather than negotiate on a scheme-by-scheme basis before being granted planning permission’. He continues ‘A delivery body, such as Natural England, will then take responsibility
for securing positive environmental outcomes like delivering a reduction in nutrient pollution affecting the water environment or securing habitats to increase the population of a protected species.’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said local plans to reach these targets were the starting point, but that the government would “absolutely” push development through if the plans did not work. He wants to “get the balance right with nature and the environment” but that “a human being wanting to have a house” had to be top priority.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need. “Our Plan for Change will put an end to the status quo while restoring nature. It’s win-win for development and our environment, including targeted reforms allowing us to use the economic benefits of growth to fund tangible and targeted action for nature’s recovery.”
The proposal is now out to consultation and feedback can be given here.
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