Gove rules out changes to nutrient neutrality laws before next election

Michael Gove today confirmed there was no hope of scrapping the nutrient neutrality laws believed to be blocking the construction of 100,00 homes before the next election.

The housing secretary blamed Labour for the fact that the government was “incapable of bringing forward legislation” that would having “unlocked 100,000 new homes.” 

The current nutrient neutrality rules require that housing developments in specified areas do not add to pollution of waterways with nutrients such as nitrogen or phosphates.

Housing secretary Michael Gove told a fringe event at the Conservative Party conference in October that he wanted the rules to be scrapped “at the first available opportunity” and indicated he would bring back a bill to parliament in order to do it.

However, after announcing the publication of the much-delayed National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in central London today, Gove confirmed the current government would make no further bid to tackle nutrient rules before a general election.

“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that that commitment is in our manifesto,” Gove said. “And when we win the next election I hope that we will be able to introduce that legislation.” 

The government’s original plan was to amend the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to allow housebuilders to effectively ignore evidence of nutrient pollution from housing development sites. However, this was defeated in the House of Lords in September after Labour peers joined a revolt against the plan.

Today, Gove said Labour was “determined to thwart that legislation” which he described as “deeply disappointing.”

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He added: “I ask Labour to show a similar level of ambition in putting legislation like that in their manifesto, but I have very low expectations.”

Gove continued to criticise the opposition party: “Not a single one of their policies actually contributes to the faster and more effective delivery of new homes. It’s a con job,” he said.

Today Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow housing secretary, vowed to reverse the government’s changes to the NPPF, including watering down local housing targets.

“Michael Gove’s latest announcement is truly through the looking glass,” Rayner said. 

“Labour is prepared to take the tough choices, jump-starting the planning system to get spades in the ground and deliver 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament. Our housing recovery plan will deliver the new homes our country desperately needs.”