22 Sep 2026
A new approach to balancing housebuilding with environmental protection is being tested in Norfolk, with the potential to support up to 15,780 new homes while funding improvements to some of the county’s most important rivers and wetlands.
Natural England has published the first draft Environmental Delivery Plan under the Government’s new Nature Restoration Fund. The plan focuses on nutrient pollution affecting protected habitats within the River Wensum, Bure Broads and Marshes, and Yare Broads and Marshes catchments.
Nutrient pollution has become a significant barrier to development in parts of Norfolk. Under the existing system, developers may have to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of individual schemes separately.
The Government argues that this can be costly and complex, while producing a series of small-scale interventions rather than coordinated environmental improvements.
How Would The New Approach Work?
Under the proposed Environmental Delivery Plan, eligible developers could choose to pay a Nature Restoration Levy to Natural England instead of arranging their own mitigation through the existing system.
Contributions from different developments would be pooled and used to fund conservation measures across the affected area. Proposed work includes restoring rivers, creating freshwater wetlands, and managing fens and reedbeds.
The aim is to achieve an overall improvement for nature, rather than simply offsetting the effects of individual developments. The Government says the measures could benefit species including otters, white-clawed crayfish, bitterns, marsh harriers and fen orchids.
Money raised through the levy would be ringfenced for conservation work in Norfolk, including its long-term maintenance and monitoring. The plan could also create opportunities for farmers, landowners and other local organisations to help deliver the measures.
Participation would be voluntary. Developers could choose to use the levy where their proposed development is eligible and sufficient capacity remains within the plan. Alternatively, they could continue to meet their environmental obligations through the existing Habitats Regulations process.
A Test For The Wider National Approach
The Norfolk plan is the first practical test of the Nature Restoration Fund, established through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. Natural England is also developing Environmental Delivery Plans for other parts of England where nutrient pollution is affecting housebuilding, although further details have not yet been published.
While the Government describes the Norfolk plan as having the potential to “unlock” up to 15,780 homes, this does not mean those homes have received planning permission or are guaranteed to be built. The plan is intended to address a specific environmental constraint and provide developers and local planning authorities with a clearer route through that part of the planning process.
Its progress will therefore be closely watched, particularly in rural areas where the need for new housing must be balanced with the protection of sensitive landscapes, habitats and waterways.
Consultation Now Open
Natural England is seeking views from local communities, developers, environmental organisations, farmers, land managers and local authorities before the plan is finalised and submitted to the Secretary of State.
The consultation asks respondents to examine the evidence behind the plan, its proposed conservation measures and how these would be delivered.
The consultation on the draft Norfolk Environmental Delivery Plan closes at 9.29am on Tuesday 27 October 2026.
