Nitrate mitigation strategy

Portsmouth’s Nutrient Neutral Mitigation Strategy has been revised and includes updated nitrate credit figures and a s.111 agreement. Applicants are advised to note the changes.

The Council’s Nutrient Neutral Mitigation Strategy provides a robust framework through which planning applications can achieve ‘Nutrient Neutrality’. The strategy helps applicants address the uncertainty relating to the impacts of additional wastewater outputs on the water environment of protected habitats in the Solent. The Strategy includes guidance on what types of development require mitigation, mitigation options and developer contributions.

Natural England advises that a nutrient budget must be calculated for applicable developments in-line with their methodology. The information provided by the applicant on the nutrient budget and any mitigation proposed will be used by the Council to make an Appropriate Assessment of the proposal, in consultation with Natural England.

The following updated guidance documents are available (to be updated in-line with Natural England revised guidance shortly)

• Revised Interim Nutrient Neutral Strategy
• Appendix 1a (updated):  Natural England Nutrient Neutrality Generic Methodology (2022)
• Appendix 2: PCC Water Efficiency Data
• Nutrient Neutrality Principles 
• Nutrient Neutrality – non technical summary (2022)
• Nutrient Budget Calculator (2022)
• Nutrient budget calculator guidance (2022)
• S.111 agreement

The council, together with other local authorities within the Solent catchment area, will continue to investigate a range of possible mitigation options, with a strong preference for schemes capable of delivering wider environmental benefits. Discussions will also continue with government agencies and the wastewater industry on addressing the sources of nitrate pollution.

The provision of mitigation will be included in a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The easiest way to pay for the mitigation package when required to do so is online with a debit card.

Follow the link to our payments page, choose ‘Miscellaneous’, ‘Planning’ and then ‘Nutrient Neutral Mitigation Package’ from the drop-down list.