Nutrient Neutrality update

Nutrient neutrality requires developments to prove that all surface water runoff and wastewater generated by the development will be less than, or equal to the nutrients generated by the existing land use. 

This aims to reduce nutrient pollution within our wildlife in both freshwater and river habitats.  

Government has claimed that the building of over 100,000 new homes within 74 catchment areas cannot progress due to the additional nutrients they would contribute to waterways. 

To demonstrate how nutrient neutrality would be delivered, applicants are required to submit a statement with their planning application if it meets the criteria. This applies to all new developments, or those with pre-commencement conditions, which occur on protected sites and see a net increase in population served by a wastewater system. Any development which comprises of overnight accommodation will be affected by the rules. 

The statement should contain evidence that the development results in neutral, or less harmful nutrients in the waterways. The contents will vary depending on if mitigation is required or not: 

• if no mitigation is required the statement should contain results of tests, showing evidence of why mitigation is not required; 
• if mitigation is required the statement should contain results of tests and potential mitigation options. 

Within the last month parliament’s stance on the issue has varied repeatedly. 

Initially government pledged to amend the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill so that new homes could be built within the affected catchment areas. 

Following this, the House of Lords rejected the amendments. While admitting the current system is not perfect, they decided the governments last-minute amendments were not the way to resolve the issue.  

The future of nutrient neutrality guidance is uncertain. Despite this we are working to ensure that the required information can be submitted through our site alongside planning applications and set as a mandatory requirement by Local Authorities if needed. 

To enable this, we will be adding ‘Nutrient statements’ as a new specific supporting document type. More information on this change will be provided going forward.