Homebuilders fear new onslaught of ‘rare snail species’ Business

Ministers are resisting pressure from a green quango to force hundreds of thousands of homes to be fitted with ‘water-saving devices’ – a move that environmentalists say will protect a rare species of snail.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) over the weekend concluded a review of so-called water neutrality laws and ruled out a nationwide rollout in a foreseeable future.

Natural England, a government-sponsored agency, has imposed restrictions on new housing estates in Sussex designed to protect the landscape, birds and even invertebrates. A “rare species of snail” is also protected by law.

A group of developers including FTSE 250 homebuilders Redrow and Bellway have hired one of Britain’s leading lawyers to overturn the rules. Jonathan Clay QC wrote to local councilors saying the Natural England rules ‘have effectively halted progress in the planning and construction of new properties’.

Marcel Hoad of Fowlers Estate Agents, who leads the group of developers, said water neutrality restrictions mean that between five and seven existing homes must be fitted with water-saving devices for each new property.

Examples of water saving initiatives include limiting water consumption to 90 liters per person per day; recycling of shower and bath water for use in toilets; harvest rainwater; and installing “hippo bags” that limit the amount of water held in toilet cisterns.

Developers fear the laws will be rolled out across the country, drawing a parallel with the controversial expansion of ‘nutrition neutrality’ rules – also imposed by Natural England – which left Boris Johnson’s plans to build 300,000 new homes a year to shreds.

James Stevens, director of cities at the Home Builders Federation, said water neutrality could “turn into a fiasco like with nutrients that are already delaying the construction of 100,000 homes”.

“Homebuilders have paid billions to water companies in recent years and it is imperative that they use that money to provide the monitoring and infrastructure needed to meet their obligations.”

Defra said the restrictions in Sussex were “not intended to stop developments”.

A spokesperson added: “Following a review, the Environment Agency and Natural England are not currently planning any further water neutrality advisories in other parts of England.”