It never crossed my mind that the charming stream could be a potential conduit of pollution. But that was half a century ago, before the world became aware of threats to our natural environment.\u00a0<\/p>
- John Craven: Could more of Scotland be community owned?<\/a><\/li>
- John Craven: Can oysters save our seas?<\/a><\/li>
- John Craven: Bison and pigs are natural agents of rewilding<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
“In a bid to speed up homebuilding, the Government is trying to scrap rules that require developers to protect waterways,” reports John Craven\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure> In more recent years, the EU, concerned with the impact of sewage leakage and construction site runoff, restricted housebuilding anywhere near waterways in protected areas. Developers in 62 local authority areas from Cornwall to the north-east have to prove their schemes will be \u201cnutrient neutral\u201d. This means ensuring no additional nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates that can damage water quality, create excess algae and harm wildlife, would be released into local watercourses. Developers claim, as a result, building work has lagged behind targets.<\/p>
\u201cDevelopers have to prove their new housing will be \u2018nutrient neutral\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>
In recent weeks, though, the Government decided to scrap what Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a \u201cdisproportionate and poorly targeted old EU ruling\u201d in the hope that an extra 100,000 homes could be created by 2030, starting within months and giving an \u00a318 billion boost to the economy. The EU ruling would instead become \u201cguidance\u201d to housebuilders, who applauded the move. But, with filthy rivers such a major issue and those who pollute them facing mounting public criticism, protests grew.\u00a0<\/p>
Greenpeace\u2019s Doug Parr retorted: \u201cWho would look at our sickly, sewage-infested rivers and conclude that what they need is weaker pollution rules?\u201d Ali Morse, water policy manager of the Wildlife Trusts, told me: \u201cWe know that nutrient neutrality schemes work. Protecting rivers does not hold up housebuilding \u2013 it is entirely possible to provide homes people need while also stopping river pollution from worsening.\u201d<\/p>
Then, suddenly, in September, the Government\u2019s plans were dead in the water and clean-river campaigners celebrated. The House of Lords threw out an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which would have approved the plans, by 203 votes to 156, with Labour peers joining the revolt. \u00a0<\/p>
- John Craven: Can oysters save our seas?<\/a><\/li>
![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2023\/10\/New-housing-vs-waterways-1-scaled.jpg\")