I am aware that nutrient neutrality constraints are affecting over 100,000 homes, with a further 16,000 affected every year. In August 2023, the Government announced plans that would have unlocked homes held up due to legacy EU laws on nutrient neutrality across 62 local authorities, while protecting the environment. These rules have had a significant impact on families and communities, stalling developments and forcing some smaller local builders out of business. I am, therefore, disappointed that the amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act that would have enabled this was rejected in the House of Lords on 13 September 2023.

I am aware that Natural England will continue to deliver the £30 million Nutrient Mitigation Scheme. To boost the supply of mitigation, the £110 million Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund will enable local authorities to boost the supply of mitigation, by investing in innovative mitigation schemes and enabling additional mitigation credits. This will enable local authorities to boost the supply of mitigation, by investing in innovative mitigation schemes and enabling additional mitigation credits.

Further, I understand that the new duty on water companies to upgrade wastewater treatment works in designated areas by 2030, and also the requirement for developers and local authorities to consider these as certain for the purposes of an assessment under the Habitats Regulations, will come into effect in January 2024. Designated catchments and specific wastewater treatment works to be upgraded will be publicly listed, and the designations will significantly reduce the average costs of nutrient mitigation for development connecting to wastewater treatment works subject to the upgrade duty.

I am assured that the Government remains committed to tackling nutrient pollution at source. Therefore, Ministers continue to explore developing Protected Sites Strategies in nutrient neutrality catchments, where these can help deliver site restoration and unlock housing delivery. Finally, the Government will ensure that at least 4,000 risk-based inspections on farms are carried out each year, making sure that slurry and other pollutants are being handled in a way that minimises pollution of the water environment.