Last week, we reported how the government has scrapped nutrient neutrality rules on new developments, under pressure from housebuilders.

Whilst the official press release included favourable quotes from developers and housebuilders, reaction from others has been somewhat less enthusiastic.

The body set up by the government to hold it to account on protecting and improving the environment (the Office for Environmental Protection) warned that the proposed changes are regressive and would “demonstrably reduce the level of environmental protection provided for in existing environmental law”.

The normally moderate RSPB was incandescent, saying that scrapping Nutrient Neutrality rules that protect our rivers would be a national scandal. Its boss also called Ministers liars.

Criticism also came from The Rivers Trust, IEMA and many others.