Natural England’s advice to local authorities overestimates the impact of new housing on nutrient pollution and could lead to unnecessary mitigation, a report for the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has found.

The government earlier this year extended the number of local planning authorities which are unable to give planning permission where a development is likely to add to nutrient pollution from 42 to 74. The HBF has warned a total of 120,000 homes are now on hold as a result.