Member

The second proposed test pertains to the cost-effectiveness of conservation measures. The Secretary of State is already required to consider the economic viability of development when making regulations that will govern the nature restoration levy. The Government have been clear that the aggregate cost to developers should be no greater than the status quo to ensure that using an EDP is an attractive option to developers. Since the vast majority of EDPs will be optional for developers to use, if the levy is set too high, they will simply opt not to use the EDP.