Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has welcomed a range of new Government measures announced this week that crack down on water companies polluting natural waterways.
The new plans to safeguard England’s precious protected sites by driving down nutrient pollution and allowing for the construction of sustainable new homes for families across the country were announced on Wednesday (20th July). They place a new legal duty on water companies in England to upgrade wastewater treatment works by 2030 in ‘nutrient neutrality areas’ and establish a new Nutrient Mitigation Scheme that protects wildlife by expanding natural wetland and woodland habitats.
Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for freshwater habitats and estuaries which provide a home to wetland birds, fish and insects. Increased levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can speed up the growth of certain plants, disrupting natural processes and devastating wildlife. While the government has taken substantial steps to tackle the issue, today’s measure will fast track progress in hotspot areas while unlocking homebuilding across the country.
Dr Hudson has repeatedly stood up in Parliament, probed in his role on the EFRA Select Committee, and spoken with Ministers on the issue of water pollution. For instance, earlier this month he quizzed the incoming Environment Agency Chair on whether they had the teeth to tackle the unacceptable amounts of sewage being discharged into rivers.
The plans will also see Natural England accredit mitigation delivered through the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, enabling Local Planning Authorities to grant planning permission for developments which have secured the necessary nutrient credits. This will ensure developers have a streamlined way to mitigate nutrient pollution, allowing planned building to continue and creating new habitats across the country.
Recently announced measures add to the Government’s new Environment Act that provides unprecedented protection against water pollution by reducing discharge from storm overflows, boosting Environment Agency farm inspections, and rewarding land managers for environmental actions.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “With my home in Brampton in precious rural Cumbria I am so lucky to have constant access to our beautiful waterways that are so vital to life here. Regularly walking the riverbanks and lake shores, I feel an obligation to stand up for the health of these precious natural resources. That’s why, after consistently fighting for stronger environmental protections, I’m so pleased to welcome the Government’s new measures that will see nutrient pollution tackled.”
“I congratulate everyone for their hard work on this. I will keep pushing the Government on this as we can always do more but this a really positive step towards ensuring our treasured, yet fragile natural landscapes are better protected for generations to come.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice added: “The plans we have announced today will protect England’s wildlife and precious habitats from the impacts of nutrient pollution, whilst ensuring communities receive the new homes they need.
“This is just one part of ongoing Government action to improve water quality across the country, from targets in our world-leading Environment Act to action on storm overflows.”
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plan-to-reduce-water-pollution
