Polluted rivers could stop housing development, warns LGA

Analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) suggests that polluted rivers could stop around 20,000 new homes from being built each year.

More than seven per cent of all of England’s planned house building cannot go ahead due to river pollution levels which exceed the Habitats Directive law, which was established to protect nature and bio-diversity.

The new LGA analysis shows 23 councils have more than 90 per cent of likely house building areas impacted by the law. Forty councils have more than a quarter of their likely house building impacted. Almost a third of building in the whole of the Northeast of England is impacted.

Some councils have managed to put in place nature-based schemes that can offset the environmental impact of new housing so that developments can go ahead. The LGA said this needs to be easier for councils as the current system is challenging, lengthy and uncertain.

Cllr David Renard, environment spokesperson for the LGA said:

“Councils want safe, clean, thriving natural environments alongside the sustainable development of housing, growth and jobs.

“It is concerning and frustrating that pollution levels in some rivers have reached a point to trigger bans on building around 20,000 new homes each year, over seven per cent of all England’s likely new house building.

“People need homes, schools and doctors’ surgeries, and people also need a safe and clean environment.

“Councils are working tirelessly to enable house building while upholding high environmental standards. However, they cannot achieve this alone. We need to reduce pollution at source, which predominantly originates from water treatment and farming.

“The Government and its agencies, house builders, the agricultural sector and water companies must all come together with councils to find short-term solutions while doing everything we can to reduce pollution at source."