Natural England will take a catchment-scale strategic mitigation approach to Environmental Delivery Plans, implementing the existing nutrient neutrality scheme measures upstream of protected areas.
In 2019 and 2022, Natural England issued planning advice to 74 local planning authorities for 31 sites spanning 27 river catchments in unfavourable condition due to nutrient pollution. Building projects and plans may only go ahead if they will not cause additional pollution, referred to as ‘nutrient neutrality’.
Nutrient neutrality does not seek to reduce the nutrient pollution levels affecting protected sites, but to limit future increases from development. The Commons Library briefing Nutrient neutrality and housing development explains how the previous government proposed to reduce the effects of nutrient pollution on protected sites.