£47m fund launched to unlock nutrient neutrality stalled homes

The government has launched the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, a new £47m fund it says will unlock 28,000 new homes. Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund is expected to boost housebuilding by creating new wetlands and upgrading septic tanks to enable sustainable development.   Seven areas across the country will benefit from a share of £45m to unblock stalled housing, with 20 of the largest sites impacted by nutrient neutrality each receiving a further £100,000 to support the planning teams that 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. 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.”  Environment minister Mary Creagh added: “Britain faces a housing and nature crisis. This new government was elected with a mandate to get Britain building again and restore nature. That is why we will deliver a planning system that unlocks the building of homes and improves outcomes for nature.” The areas to benefit from the new funding are Norfolk Broads and the River Wensum, which will receive £8.8m to unlock more than 6,000 new homes; River Axe, which will get £4m to unlock around 1,000 new homes; the Solent, where almost £7m will allow the development of some 2,700 new homes; the River Wye, which will get £2.7m to unlock 3,000 new homes; and the River Mease and River Lambourn, which will receive £2.5m and £2.4m respectively to enable the development of a total of 1,500 homes. The biggest share of the new fund will go to the River Eden, River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake, River Kent and Esthwaite Water catchment, receiving more than £15m to allow the development of some 13,000 homes. Photo by Maureen McLean/Shutterstock