NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY CREDIT OFFSETTING
Nutrient Neutrality is a planning requirement for new development 27 river catchment areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and impacts planning in 74 local authority areas.
The rules require developers to demonstrate that a proposed development will be ‘nutrient neutral’ and that nutrient pollution resulting from the development will not add to the already unsustainable levels of nutrient pollution entering the designated water course. Local Authorities are unable to grant planning consent unless the scheme can demonstrate how Nutrient Neutrality will be achieved.
To secure planning permission, developers must demonstrate Nutrient Neutrality by offsetting the anticipated nitrate and phosphate nutrient pollution of a development, either by purchasing Nutrient Credits from established mitigation schemes or, by funding/creating nutrient mitigation schemes themselves.
The rules require developers to demonstrate that a proposed development will be ‘nutrient neutral’ and that nutrient pollution resulting from the development will not add to the already unsustainable levels of nutrient pollution entering the designated water course. Local Authorities are unable to grant planning consent unless the scheme can demonstrate how Nutrient Neutrality will be achieved.
To secure planning permission, developers must demonstrate Nutrient Neutrality by offsetting the anticipated nitrate and phosphate nutrient pollution of a development, either by purchasing Nutrient Credits from established mitigation schemes or, by funding/creating nutrient mitigation schemes themselves.
Land which can reduce nutrient pollution – nitrates and phosphates – from entering water courses are being sought as ‘Nutrient Offsets’ – to enable new developments. This has created new market opportunities for farmers rural landowners in affected catchments for development of nutrient offset projects.
• Agricultural abandonment – to reduce nitrates & phosphates inputs to land: but it will result in land being taken out of production.
• Wetland construction – to remove nutrients from surface water and effluent flows and prevent it entering water courses.
• Riparian buffers and other catchment management solutions – this includes zones along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other water bodies which remain uncropped and planted with vegetation to capture nutrients.
• Agricultural abandonment – to reduce nitrates & phosphates inputs to land: but it will result in land being taken out of production.
• Wetland construction – to remove nutrients from surface water and effluent flows and prevent it entering water courses.
• Riparian buffers and other catchment management solutions – this includes zones along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other water bodies which remain uncropped and planted with vegetation to capture nutrients.
Nutrient reductions are purchased by developers as either nitrate or phosphate credits depending on the type of pollution in the catchment – to evidence that the impacts of the development can be offset. The quantity of offset required is determined by a number of variables including the performance of the sewage treatment works, catchment rainfall levels, soil type and existing land use.
Paton Land has the experience to advise landowners and help them understand the potential opportunities arising from the market for nutrient offsetting. We can help landowners and builders explore opportunities for offset sales and purchases.
Paton Land has the experience to advise landowners and help them understand the potential opportunities arising from the market for nutrient offsetting. We can help landowners and builders explore opportunities for offset sales and purchases.
