The House of Lords last night rejected controversial attempts by the UK government to scrap vital legislation which protects our waterways from further pollution.
Politicians in the upper house defeated the government proposals by 192 votes to 161 in a move that will see Nutrient Neutrality regulations remaining in place.
This means new developments in designated areas such as the Solent region can only be approved once suitable measures are in place to counteract the water pollution caused by new housing.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) has welcomed this outcome to retain the crucial protections which help prevent placing yet more pressure on our severely damaged rivers, chalk streams and the Solent.
Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of HIWWT, said: “This is great news and we would like to thank the House of Lords for showing common sense and standing up for nature.
“Since the government brought forward this proposed amendment to the Levelling Up Bill, we have been very clear that Nutrient Neutrality does work. In the Solent region, we have proven that there are solutions and we have worked successfully with housebuilders, local government and regulators.
“Protecting our environment – in this instance, particularly the wonderful Solent coastline and internationally-revered chalk streams like the River Itchen – is not a party political issue.
“We would now call on politicians and housebuilders to join us in putting their energies into the solutions rather than wasting time on point scoring. This is far too important an issue for that.”
None of our waterways, including our iconic chalk streams or internationally important estuaries, are in good overall health, and the government predicts that they will remain that way until 2063.
In the Solent region, HIWWT has proven that by working with developers, local government and regulators, it is possible to develop effective and affordable nature-based solutions to mitigate the environmental effects of new developments.
Through rewilding land which had previously been used for intensive agriculture, the Trust is reducing the amount of nutrients ultimately reaching the Solent while also restoring habitats for wildlife and bringing additional environmental gains. The Trust’s first such project, at Wilder Little Duxmore on the Isle of Wight, has achieved a 47% reduction in soil mineral nitrogen levels in less than two years.
Debbie added: “Nutrient Neutrality rules are working very well here. We have proven a cost-effective way to unlock planned housebuilding while also mitigating the environmental impact of new developments – and those methods have the added benefit of helping people, communities and nature too. The results we have already seen at Wilder Little Duxmore are very significant for the fight against pollution on the south coast.
“Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Our precious rivers and coastal areas are facing untenable levels of pollution from agriculture, industry and domestic waste. Scrapping Nutrient Neutrality would have made this dire situation even worse so we are grateful to the Lords for doing the right thing and also for defending the key principle that polluters should pay.”