Home / Environment / Pay to Pollute? Broads Homes Levy Sparks Outrage
Pay to Pollute? Broads Homes Levy Sparks Outrage
24 Sep
Summary
- New homes levy cut significantly per house.
- Developers pay less, raising pollution concerns.
- Critics call it 'cash to trash' environmental plan.
New housing development in the protected Norfolk Broads faces scrutiny over a significantly reduced environmental levy. The government's environmental delivery plans (EDPs) aim to facilitate housing growth by allowing developers to pay into a nature restoration fund.
However, for nearly 16,000 planned homes, the levy per house has been cut to £2,675, totaling £42m. This is a substantial decrease from previous estimates that ranged from £5,400 to £60,500.
Critics, including environmental lawyers and ecologists, label the plan "cash to trash" and "pay to pollute." They argue the reduced fee fails to adequately address increased nutrient pollution in protected chalk streams like the Wensum, Bure, and Yare.
Natural England, the government's nature adviser, acknowledges that new homes will cause environmental harm from nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Despite this, the EDP states the funded conservation actions will outweigh the negative effects.
Concerns are raised about a conflict of interest as Natural England is funded by the levy to perform mitigation works. Experts also point out that the proposed conservation actions do not include measures to reduce pollution at its source, such as sustainable drainage systems.
This first EDP, set to guide future plans, has generated significant worry. The Broads already face severe pollution, and further degradation could threaten its rare wildlife, including otters and fen orchids. The plan is currently open for a 28-day public consultation.
