The UK government puts forward its proposed changes to nutrient neutrality rules, inviting environmental groups to help deliver a “win-win for house building and nature”.

Green groups across the nation have been invited to meet with the Labour government today to broker a way to unblock planning projects currently prevented by anti-pollution rules.

In a letter penned by deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner and environment secretary, Steve Reed, addressed to environmental leaders, the pair state “the status quo is not working.”

“Our vision is for a better planning system that will unlock the housing and infrastructure this country urgently needs whilst improving outcomes for nature.”

In order to achieve its current house building goals – 1.5 million new homes this Parliament – the government is seeking to adjust nutrient neutrality rules.

These rules were established in an effort to prevent further pollution to the UK’s waterways.

Sources say the government is not intending to scrap the environmental rules completely, but rather it will pursue an approach that allows pollution mitigation to take place alongside development.

It could be argued that the government’s plea to environmental groups is an indication that nature-based solutions are being brought forward in an attempt to resolve the housing crisis, as well as the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Speaking to BBC Radio, Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, says:

“We’re delighted to see the approach of the new government in setting out the ambition of doing both nature recovery and house building rather than trying to choose between the two.”

He goes on to say:

“If we are serious about achieving nature recovery, we can’t diminish the protections. But what we can do is achieve those protections and go beyond them in ways that are quicker and more efficient.”

One option put forward by Wildlife and Countryside Link, is the creation of a ‘National Strategic Mitigation Pot’ – a fund in which developers pay into to finance measures that offset pollution.

Reed and housing minister Matthew Pennycook will host the meeting that takes place today.