Letter in today’s Times

Sir, Tomorrow the House of Lords will vote on government proposals to overturn nutrient neutrality laws, the last legal line of defence for precious river habitats. Nutrient neutrality rules are part of the habitats regulations, the UK’s strongest nature protections. Scrapping them would be the worst unwinding of environmental law for decades.

The rules stop pollution from new developments near sensitive rivers. The weak, non-statutory measures proposed in exchange will fall short and more habitats will be harmed.

The existing rules do not stop housebuilding, they require housebuilders to mitigate impacts. Where there is a short-term shortage of mitigation credits, the government could speed up development without weakening environmental law. Unfortunately, the government did not consult before bringing forward proposals in the dying days of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill.

We urge peers to vote against these damaging proposals, which are contrary to government promises to restore rivers and stop the decline of nature by 2030.

Hilary McGrady, director-general, National Trust; 

Mark Lloyd, CEO, Rivers Trust; 

Darren Moorcroft, CEO, Woodland Trust; 

Craig Bennett, CEO, Wildlife Trusts; 

Katie-Jo Luxton, executive director, global conservation, RSPB; 

Toni Pearce, director of advocacy, WWF-UK; 

Jamie Cook, CEO, Angling Trust; 

Richard Benwell, CEO, Wildlife & Countryside Link