Unlocking development across the Solent
Find out about our nitrate and phosphates offset schemes and how developers can apply for credits
The Issue
The Solent region, known for its internationally important ecology, continues to face a growing problem of excess nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates, polluting its waterways.
Man-made sources, including household wastewater, enter waterways and introduce these nutrients into rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. Consequently, this is negatively impacting our local wildlife and ecosystems.
To address these issues, the government introduced a requirement for housebuilders and developers to demonstrate how they will achieve 'nutrient neutrality' when developing near water bodies.
The Development Challenge
Hampshire’s population is expected to increase by 4.5% and reach 2 million by 2029, making new development across the Solent crucial. However, future housing developments are expected to be one of the most significant contributors to nitrogen pollution in the Solent’s waterways.
The requirement for developers to evidence nutrient neutrality has held back much-needed housing and other tourism-related development across the Solent, for over four years now.
We understand this continues to pose a huge challenge to developers in the region who must demonstrate how they will be 'net neutral' when developing within the six 'fluvial catchment' zones in the Solent region.
Our Response
It is essential that development opportunities are unlocked across the Solent and developers looking to invest in the area are supported in delivering new homes. Yet, it is equally as important to address nitrate and phosphate pollution for the wellbeing of our ecosystems and community.
In response to this challenge, we have taken a proactive approach to protect local wildlife and communities while enabling development to proceed without delay.
This response aligns with our Climate Change and Environmental Emergency action plan and supports the Housing Development and Healthy Communities themes outlined in our Corporate Action Plan 2015 – 2025.
Our Solution for the Solent
We have introduced a cost-effective 'nutrient offset scheme' to enable developers to purchase credits for offsetting nutrient outputs.
The scheme offers:
- The chance to offset excess nutrient outputs against our owned land through the purchase of the nitrate credits available.
- A valuable opportunity for long-term sustainability to achieve nitrate neutrality and meet compliance.
Enablement to meet the need for new housing - unlocking investment for developers and the region.
We manage over 238 hectares of mitigation land, totalling 11,354 credits and can provide nitrate credits to mitigate development in Itchen, Test and Hamble rivers and those parts of the New Forest that discharge to Southampton Water. To date the nitrate credits available are all through the cessation of farming practices. Each credit costs £3000* + VAT, including legal and administrative costs.
Phosphorus mitigation is now also a requirement in many River catchments across the region, including the Itchen and Hamble Rivers. In response, we have a limited amount of phosphate credits available within the Hamble and the lower Itchen catchment where wastewater is treated at Chicken Hall Lane. Each phosphate credit costs £50,000* plus VAT.
*Developers should ensure that their nutrient offsetting occurs within the same region as their development.
Find out more about the scheme.
Read the Cabinet Report: Nutrient Mitigation Strategies and New Forest Mitigation December 2022
Read the Cabinet Report: Phosphate Mitigation Strategy July 2022
Read the Cabinet Report: Phosphate Mitigation Strategy map
Read the Cabinet Report: Nutrient Charging Policy March 2021
Unlock your development
Nitrate and phosphate credits are an enormously important factor in enabling development, and equally are in extremely limited supply within the region.
If you are looking to develop within the Solent area and want to mitigate your development with nitrate or phosphate credits then you can start the process by filling out the relevant interest form and emailing it to [email protected].
*Charges are subject to CPI, with a base date of December 2022.