Nutrient Neutrality

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. This advice is relevant to 74 local planning authorities based on catchment areas set out by Natural England. 

A competent professional body must assess the nutrient impact of any development which affects relevant sites. This assessment will primarily focus on the levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the waterways. Residential developments have the biggest impact on the nutrient levels.  

If there is no negative impact, then the development may proceed.  

The negative nutrient load associated with the new development can be mitigated on-site or off-site, as long as it remains within the same catchment. This is often done through the creation of new wetlands.