Member

I turn to Amendments 361A and 361B, regarding the interactions between the NRF and SMEs. I thank the noble Baroness for raising this important matter and providing the opportunity to set out how we will work with SME builders. To reiterate, the NRF does not create any new environmental duties on developers but instead provides a streamlined alternative approach for them to discharge their existing duties. The NRF delivers transparency and clarity for developers of all sizes. Where a developer chooses to use an EDP, they will have clarity that the relevant legal environmental obligation is discharged through the payment of the levy. This derisks development as, once payment is made, the responsibility for securing the necessary conservation measures shifts to Natural England.