UK mulls scrapping water pollution law to build more housing

UK Government look at overriding 2018 ruling that bans housebuilding in areas where it risks polluting rivers

The proposed move comes after the Home Builders Federation lobby group blamed the “nutrient neutrality” rule for preventing construction of 120,000 homes. 

British prime minister Rishi Sunak is considering scrapping an environmental law dating back to UK membership of the EU, as his government faces pressure to build more houses while fending off a voter backlash on pollution.

The prime minister’s team is looking at using his flagship regeneration bill to override a 2018 ruling that effectively bans housebuilding in areas where it risks polluting rivers and waterways. The proposed move comes after the Home Builders Federation lobby group blamed the “nutrient neutrality” rule for preventing construction of 120,000 homes.