The UK government has initiated a review of environmental regulations, aiming for potential changes that could impact builders significantly. This review, led by economist Dan Corry, addresses regulatory impacts on economic growth and environmental preservation.
- The review is spearheaded by economist Dan Corry and seeks to evaluate the regulatory impact on economic growth.
- Richard Beresford of the National Federation of Builders calls the review overdue, highlighting the previous exclusion of construction perspectives.
- The current regulatory approach, as noted by the NFB, has hindered development and environmental outcomes.
- There is a growing call to view economic growth and environmental protection as complementary rather than opposing forces.
In a significant move, the UK government has commissioned an internal review of environmental regulations, which is being eagerly anticipated by the building sector. The review, assigned to economist Dan Corry, aims to examine how the current regulatory framework affects economic growth while ensuring the natural environment is not compromised. This development has sparked widespread interest within the construction industry, where stakeholders have long voiced concerns over existing environmental policies.
Richard Beresford, the chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, has welcomed this initiative as ‘long overdue’. He emphasises that previous administrations adopted a ‘siloed view’ on environmental regulation, often sidelining the constructive feedback offered by the construction industry despite ongoing dialogues and engagements. Such an approach, according to Beresford, not only complicated the development landscape but also resulted in suboptimal environmental results, underlining the need for a more inclusive and holistic regulatory approach.
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insight at the NFB, further notes that listening to the house-building industry could have led to better outcomes, particularly in areas like nutrient neutrality and biodiversity net gain. He argues that past regulatory practices mistakenly positioned growth and environmental safety as mutually exclusive, advocating for a paradigm shift where both can be harmoniously achieved.
The review, therefore, presents an opportunity to reassess and potentially redefine the intersection of economic development and environmental protection. It suggests a growing recognition that fostering sustainable growth does not necessarily come at the expense of the environment, but rather, the two can be aligned to achieve better outcomes for both sectors.
The commissioned review could mark a pivotal shift towards integrating economic growth with sustainable environmental practices.
