Michael Gove has come under fire over changes in the law that might damage rivers in the UK.
Current nutrient neutrality rules prevent developers from building houses in protected areas when it would add harmful substances like nitrogen and phosphorus into nearby rivers and lakes.
Now levelling up secretary Michael Gove has defended plans to scrap the “clunky” EU-era environmental protections on nutrient neutrality.
It bragged it was a Brexit benefit to boost to housing.
Rivers Michael Gove
As you can see from the post below in 2018 Gove said: “There’s no point in having high environmental standards if you allow them to be undercut.”
Fast forward to 2023 and the headline in the Guardian reads: “England’s rivers at risk as Michael Gove rips up rules on new housing.”
Mr Gove said: “The way EU rules have been applied has held us back. These changes will provide a multibillion-pound boost for the UK economy and see us build more than 100,000 new homes.”
But Greenpeace UK policy director Dr Doug Parr said: “Who would look at our sickly, sewage-infested rivers and conclude that what they need is weaker pollution rules? No one.”
They added: “Instead of allowing house builders to cut corners, the Sunak administration should make sure we have the right infrastructure to handle our sewage so we can build new homes without sacrificing our rivers’ health.”
Feargal Sharkey wrote: “You have trashed what last shred of credibility and sincerity you had, and it’s quite obvious you were prepared to sacrifice the environment at the altar of political gain.”
Related: Drive for golf courses to be developed swings opinion
