HBF has responded to this consultation, which follows a workshop earlier this year at which Defra sought views from a wide range of organisations. HBF is not convinced of the need for a Directive to protect soil and are concerned that proposals to limit soil sealing could have an adverse impact on the housing provision objectives. It is also proposed to require member states to compile a list of contaminated sites with a programme for remediation which has the potential to blight sites. There is some confusion about some of the definitions and various amendments have been proposed by other member states during the course of this consultation. The Portuguese presidency is keen to see progress on this so it is possible that a draft will be published later this year.
