Plans to unlock more than 15,000 new homes in Norfolk unveiled with £30m nature boost
Developers would pay a levy to help clean up rivers and wetlands, including the Norfolk Broads
Plans that could unlock up to 15,780 new homes across Norfolk have been published by the government today.
The proposals are the first test of a new approach designed to win public support for housebuilding while also restoring nature.
Under the plans, developers would pay a levy to fund large-scale improvements to rivers and wetlands across the county, rather than paying for smaller, individual mitigation measures on each site.
The money, expected to raise more than £30 million, would be administered by Natural England and used to improve water quality and wetlands in Norfolk, including the Norfolk Broads.
The blueprint, known as an Environmental Delivery Plan, has been drafted by Natural England under the government's Nature Restoration Fund.
It is designed to tackle pollution in rivers and waterways, which the government said has been a major barrier to building new homes in parts of the county.
The area earmarked for new homes and nature restoration includes the River Wensum, the Bure Broads and Marshes, and the Yare Broads and Marshes catchments, covering a large part of central and eastern Norfolk.
The government said the measures include restoring rivers, creating wetlands and managing fens and reedbeds, which would benefit species such as otters, water voles, white-clawed crayfish, bitterns, marsh harriers and fen orchids.
The plan is also intended to create new opportunities for Norfolk farmers, landowners and private organisations to work with Natural England on conservation.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said: "People know there's a housing crisis and that we must build more homes to tackle it. But people also want to live in communities they can be proud of, with thriving green spaces everyone can enjoy.
"This government rejects the false trade-off between delivering infrastructure and restoring our environment.
"Our plans are a win-win for development and nature, unlocking thousands of new homes and raising millions to improve our natural environment."
Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain said: "The EDP represents a new way to protect nature while also supporting growth. Instead of tackling pollution piecemeal, site by site, we can now deliver conservation measures that make a real difference for rivers, wetlands and wildlife across Norfolk.
"This will help restore the natural systems that underpin our security and protect our wellbeing, giving developers certainty that the money they need to spend is making a positive contribution to local communities."
The consultation is open for 28 working days, with Natural England inviting responses to help shape the final plan before it is submitted to the Secretary of State.