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Environmental Groups Criticize New Nature Levy for Housing Developers
Developing
In Short: Environmental groups have criticized a pilot scheme that would make housing developers pay a new nature levy in Norfolk.
Environmental groups have criticized a pilot scheme that would make housing developers pay a new nature levy in Norfolk, aimed at raising funds for conservation projects.
The plan, part of the government's Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP), would apply to much of central Norfolk and parts of The Broads, pooling cash from housebuilders to unlock space for thousands of homes.
Developers would pay £2,675 per house, with the levy expected to raise about £42 million.
The government claims the scheme is a 'win-win' for development and nature, stating it would unlock space for 15,780 homes currently stalled due to rules protecting rivers.
However, environmental campaigners are concerned about the potential impact on nature. Eliot Lyne, the chief executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said his organization needed more time to review the proposals.
Mark Dye, a chalk stream campaigner for the Gaywood River Revival group, expressed worry about the health of rivers, stating that polluting them without addressing underlying causes would only worsen the situation.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle defended the plan, calling it a 'win-win' for development and nature recovery.
Hayns, quoted by the BBC, argued that blaming environmental concerns as the main obstacle to building houses was a 'fallacy,' pointing to issues like material and labor availability and land prices.
The government spokesperson said the introduction of a single levy would simplify the process for developers.
What's still developing
- In order to unlock space for thousands of homes, developers would pay money that could create new wetlands, fund deer culls and restore rivers.