The House of Lords has blocked the UK government’s plan to relax restrictions on water pollution in a move which was intended to encourage housebuilding. Ministers believe that up to 100,000 new homes could be built by 2030 if water pollution regulations are loosened as the government were defeated in a recent vote to remove the EU-era ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules. 

Housebuilding activity has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade as government data revealed that just 898 major residential projects were approved between April and June this year, down 11% on the same period in the previous year, marking the first time the quarterly figure has dropped below 1,000 since 2012. 

Lawrence Turner, director, Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group) commented: “Spearheaded by the Labour party, a collective dissent has been raised against the Government’s motion to abolish the ‘nutrient neutrality’ laws. 

“The development industry maintains that the implications of these laws on residential construction are unduly restrictive, given that new homes contribute less than 1% to the overall problem. The rejection of the Bill translates into further stagnation of construction for over 100,000 homes. Most of these homes have already received planning consent and are supported by local communities, adding to the gravitas of the delay.”