Bruxelles, 27 June 2023 – Build Europe, the association representing European developers and homebuilders, accounting for more than 60% of the EU’s homebuilding capacity, expresses satisfaction with the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety for rejecting the European Commission’s proposal on the EU Nature Restoration Law. Build Europe has in fact warned the Commission before to adopt a more pragmatic approach that does not undermine housing affordability.
In May, Build Europe had warned the European Institutions and the Swedish Presidency of the EU about the potential impact of the proposal on densely populated and industrialised regions, particularly in smaller countries and more densified regions. Build Europe specifically highlighted the challenges or feasibility issues associated with implementing certain targets and obligations outlined in the proposal. Some of the regions face severe nitrogen problems related to residential developments on buildable land located near or a few kilometers away from EU Habitat Directive special areas of conservation (“SCA”).
Filiep Loosveldt, Managing Director of Build Europe, stated: ” We are pleased that the European Parliament recognised the risks of approving an imbalanced nature restoration law. We had shared our concerns and analysis with the European Commission to give them an opportunity to develop a more pragmatic proposal. We are relieved that the Parliament halted the progression of legislation that could have exacerbated the housing affordability crisis in numerous EU member states”.
Marc Pigeon, President of Build Europe, added: “As representatives of European developers and homebuilders, we felt compelled to express our concerns regarding the Proposal on Nature Restoration Law under discussion. Following our intervention, we were confident that the European Parliament and its MEPs would reject a bill that, while achieving minor environmental gains, would have weakened housing affordability in many EU regions and member states. I hope this serves as a reminder to all EU institutions about the importance of considering input from the private sector, especially from professionals who provide citizens with green, energy-efficient, and affordable housing”.