Skip to content

The recent government announcements regarding Nutrient Neutrality and subsequent news coverage may have caught your attention.

It has been reported that an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB) will be introduced to modify the application of Habitats Regulations, which are integral to the Nutrient Neutrality matter. The amendment is expected to remove the ‘requirement’ on Natural England to advise councils against approving housing projects in areas where protected waterways are at risk of pollution. This shift in development consideration could have a significant impact and unlock sites around the country that were previously affected by this issue.

Legislation amendments are currently under review and require parliamentary approval before receiving Royal Assent.

While these proposed changes have already sparked controversy among environmental groups and the opposition, it is important to note that all development will likely be impacted.

As such, it is likely that you will still be recommended to assess and reduce your impact during the planning stages, as this will remain a key consideration regardless of occupancy allowances. We will continue to monitor this issue as it unfolds and provide updates as necessary…

At Brookbanks, we make it our mission to always stay ahead of the curve and keep our clients in the loop with the latest developments. With that in mind, we want to assure you that we are fully committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

If you have any queries on how this may affect your portfolio, please don’t hesitate to contact our Nutrient Neutrality expert Dean Swann and his team for further advice.

See the announcement here!
Principal Consultant - Hydrology

Alejandro Marcotegui

Read Profile
Dean Swann, Group Technical Director at Brookbanks
Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities Group

Dean Swann

Read Profile
Graduate Environmental Engineer

Paige Fellows

Read Profile
Siobhan McGlynn, Principal Engineer at Brookbanks
Principal Engineer

Siobhán McGlynn

Read Profile

More News

Brookbanks project at pre-build stage with diggers preparing the ground.

Why Foundation Strategy is a key for Infrastructure Delivery

April 3, 2026

Ground conditions remain one of the biggest sources of cost, carbon and programme risk in infrastructure delivery, yet foundation strategy is still too often considered too late. When layouts and levels are fixed before the ground is understood, projects lose the chance to shape efficient, predictable outcomes. This article explores why early, ground‑led design matters and how treating foundation strategy as a front‑end decision can unlock clarity, reduce risk and improve overall project performance.

Read More
An aerial view of houses surrounding a road featuring a roundabout

Our March 2026 Newsletter

March 31, 2026

Welcome to our March 2026 newsletter. In this issue, we’ll tell you more about how we help SMEs prioritise what matters, avoid the common financial traps, and get projects moving, backed by our experienced team who have real housebuilding experience. We’re looking back on our March webinar, where Jack Kenny and Paul Rushmer gave an overview of how to optimise mechanical and electrical designs specifically for high-risk buildings. Plus, we’ll highlight this month’s podcasts! The first explored where structural engineering and building services design overlap, and why good coordination is so important to project delivery. In episode two, Hannah Simpson, Fran Walker, and Isabelle Latuszka spoke about their early-career experiences and how diverse backgrounds add real value to projects. Below, you’ll also get to hear about some exciting awards news and an event we’re co-hosting with the LPDF in Manchester.

Read More