Taunton Deane MP and former Environment Minister Rebecca Pow is delighted to support the package of measures announced yesterday to further tackle water pollution and support sustainable development.

She said: “As the former Environment & Nature Recovery Minister who worked to pull together this plan across government departments over the last year, I welcome the comprehensive package announced today which will see nutrient pollution reduced, help the environment and start to unlock appropriate sustainable development. It is essential that new homes do not impair the quality of our rivers, streams and wetlands like the Somerset Levels. The measures announced will ensure development can take place, but only where there is practical action taken to protect our precious aquatic habitats. This is just one part of ongoing Government action to improve water quality across the country, from targets in our world leading Environment Act, which I was proud to steer through Parliament, to action on storm overflows.”

Building on our substantial action to protect and restore our rivers so far, the new package includes:

• A new legal duty on water companies in England to upgrade wastewater treatment works by 2030 in ‘nutrient neutrality’ areas to the highest achievable technological levels.
• A new Nutrient Mitigation Scheme established by Natural England, helping wildlife and boosting access to nature by investing in projects like new and expanded wetlands and woodlands. This will allow local planning authorities to grant planning permission for new developments in areas with nutrient pollution issues, providing for the development of sustainable new homes and ensuring building can go ahead. Defra and DLUHC will provide funding to pump prime the scheme.

Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-plan-to-reduce-water-pollution