Rishi Sunak is considering scrapping an environmental law dating back to U.K. membership of the European Union, as his government faces pressure to build more houses while fending off a voter backlash on pollution.
The prime minister¡¯s team is looking at using his flagship regeneration bill to override a 2018 ruling that effectively bans house-building in areas where it risks polluting rivers and waterways, people familiar with the matter said. The proposed move comes after the Home Builders Federation lobby group blamed the ¡°nutrient neutrality¡± rule for preventing construction of 120,000 homes.
Britain¡¯s housing shortage is a contentious political issue ahead of a general election expected in 2024, with the Conservatives under fire after backing away from a manifesto pledge to build 300,000 homes a year.
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