The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has called for expressions of interest to help unlock development stalled by nutrient pollution issues.

More than 100,000 homes are estimated to be delated in the planning system due to requirements by Natural England’s for nutrient neutrality – including many across the South and South East.

The new call is for local councils to bid for grant funding of up to £10m to help create or advance local schemes designed to help river catchments achieve neutrality and unlock development – such woodland or wetland habitats.

It is included in a consultation about the proposals, which sets out how the issue affects 74 local authorities across 27 river catchments, totalling 14% of England’s land area.

There is no detail about the total size of the pot on offer. Clearly the schemes will take time to have an impact so a credits system to allow schemes to get moving must be considered.

Please contact us to find out more about this issue may affect your development or project.