Nutrient Neutrality Update 01.11.2023
Key Updates
Norfolk Environmental Credits Ltd (NEC) will be releasing the first set of credits for the River Yare catchment in November.
No target date has been set for the Bure and Wensum Catchments.
Site information must have been submitted to NEC to be put on the waiting list.
NEC will prioritize sites with the lowest phosphate discharge.
Cost per 0.1kg/yr will be £2400+VAT.
There may be an announcement regarding changes or abolishment of Nutrient Neutrality in the King's speech on the 7th November
Norfolk Environmental Credits Ltd (NEC)
In the latest update, it has been announced that the first round of nutrient neutrality credits for the Yare catchment will be priced at £2,400+VAT per 0.1kg/yr Total Phosphorus, which also includes the nitrogen mitigation required for development sites. Payment for these credits will be required upfront. The allocation of credits will prioritize sites with the lowest need for phosphorus mitigation within the Yare catchment.
Kings Speech
The UK government is considering introducing a new bill to change or eliminate "nutrient neutrality" rules that currently restrict housing development in areas with protected habitats.
A recent report in the Sunday Telegraph suggested that the government might announce the bill in the King's Speech, although it noted that this was not guaranteed, as it would require shelving another piece of legislation. The bill aims to allow more housing construction by potentially scrapping nutrient neutrality rules.
At the Conservative Party Conference, both the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Michael Gove, and DLUHC Minister Rachel Maclean confirmed the government's intent to bring forward a bill to eliminate nutrient neutrality rules. However, a previous attempt to amend the Habitats Regulations to achieve this was defeated in the House of Lords in September 2023 and was not added to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill for that year.
The proposed changes have generated significant debate and reaction, with environmental concerns playing a central role in discussions.