Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, has welcomed the announcement of a new Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. The £110 million Fund, which was outlined in the Autumn Statement, will help planning authorities in areas affected by nutrient neutrality rules to unlock and deliver modest housing development. West Dorset is one area affected by nutrient neutrality, and Mr Loder has been directly involved in the discussions intended to resolve the issue. The local MP said:
“There are thousands of modest housebuilding planning applications still on hold in Dorset as a result of nutrient neutrality rules. In September, the Government had tabled amendments to the Levelling Up Bill to address this issue, but it was selfishly voted down in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrats which added unnecessary delays. Nutrients entering our rivers are a real problem, but the contribution made by new homes is very small. This new Fund allows modest high-quality housebuilding schemes to offset nutrient pollution. The Fund has already undergone a mass consultation and has received widespread support from industry experts and environmental groups."
