In recent years, rural constituencies such as Mid Norfolk have been facing unprecedented pressure from aggressive ‘out of town’ developers intent on dumping copious amounts of houses on the edges of our towns and villages – creating several issues, not least with infrastructure and services.
That’s why, as I promised my constituents, I have campaigned hard, locally and in Westminster, in favour of strengthening the spirit and content of the 2011 Localism Act – particularly around Neighbourhood and Local Plans. Where communities take the time to time to create their own plans and set out how they would like to grow and develop over the coming years (often asking for more new housing provided they can put it where they feel is best!), I believe it is vital the Government ensures their plans carry proper weight within the planning system.
It’s also why I strongly believe we need a more local and organic approach – one that delivers Vibrant Villages and Thriving Towns, based on smaller pockets of housing in our villages and a greater emphasis on housing for people in local employment rather than long distance commuters. (This is the vision behind “The Norfolk Way” – a not for profit campaign I set up 8 years ago to promote the importance of a vibrant rural economy).
In recent months, Natural England identified a number of additional protected sites that have been adversely affected by the impacts of wastewater and nutrient pollution. A consequence has been the effect that ‘Nutrient Neutrality’ has had on the ability of local authorities to deliver new homes – delaying the process, increasing costs and putting some local authorities at risk of falling behind on the targets they themselves set as part of their own Local Plans.
Having been made aware of the impact of Nutrient Neutrality on local development here in Norfolk, I am working with several parliamentary colleagues to see what more can be done to support our local authorities as they look to navigate this serious issue.
While we absolutely must take wastewater and nutrient pollution incredibly seriously, we also need to make sure that we do so in a way that is fair and proportionate, and which doesn’t unnecessarily hurt our local communities. Although growth must be delivered respectfully and sustainably, there is no doubt that we cannot go on without any. And we need to make sure this situation does not open the door to even greater house dumping further down the line.
Rest assured, this is an issue I will continue to follow closely in the weeks and months ahead.