Measures to address nutrient neutrality issues may be introduced as part of the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner has suggested the new legislation will tackle development delays caused by current rules.

Her comments came at the House of Commons’ housing, communities and local government committee when she said that the bill will be introduced ‘around March’.

She told the committee: “There’s been issues around nutrient neutrality and nature offsetting, which we are coming forward with in the planning and infrastructure bill in the spring to make sure we address some of those issues.”

Potential developments in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire are among those which have been most held up by nutrient neutrality rules.

KPPC Planning Director Adam Bennett said: “If the government does devise an appropriate means of mitigating for the nutrient impacts upon protected watercourses arising from development which satisfied nutrient neutrality rules in a simplified manner without the need to go through the process of applying for approved credits, this would be extremely welcome.

“This is a significant issue which affects Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire and would pave the way for a simplified process of navigating this issue for our clients and hopefully aid with the viability of delivering development in these areas which is being affected negatively by the impacts of this additional nutrient neutrality mitigation.

“The devil will be in the detail, but there is hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel with this.”

Ms Rayner also highlighted the aim to streamline the planning process to speed up decisions and housing delivery.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill was announced in the King’s Speech in July and will aim to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing.

Please contact us to find out more about how the potential changes will affect your project or plans.