Nutrient Neutrality
Mitigation techniques
Onsite or offsite mitigation is available to shift a development in line with nutrient neutrality requirements. Onsite mitigation may include:
- Water filtration systems
- New open spaces
- Habitats built on land previously used for agriculture.
Currently offsite mitigation is limited due to the speed of the implementation of nutrient neutrality regulations. Developers can create new wetland activity, areas of rewilding or creating buffer zones along rivers. If it is not possible to achieve neutrality using these techniques, then nutrient credits may be required. Natural England have set up a nutrient mitigation scheme, allowing developers to purchase nutrient credits to offset their nutrient pollution. These can also be purchased privately or through local planning authorities where available.
Offsite mitigation is generally required for brownfield sites as onsite mitigation is often not feasible for these developments.
It is expected that mitigation measures will remain in place in perpetuity. They may be held in place through the use of Section 106 planning obligations.