Nutrient Neutrality
What’s required from local planning authorities and applicants?
Local planning authority: The relevant competent authority, in this case the local planning authority, is responsible for carrying out habitats regulation assessments (HRA) to understand if a European designated site will be harmed by a development proposal. A development must prove nutrient neutrality to pass the HRA.
Applicant: An applicant may be required to submit a nutrient neutrality statement to help the local planning authority conduct the HRA. The statement should contain evidence that the development results in neutral, or less harmful nutrients in the waterways.
- If no mitigation is required: results of tests, showing evidence of why mitigation is not required
- If mitigation is required: results of tests, potential mitigation options