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Achieving Nutrient Neutrality

July 7, 2021

Have you heard the term nutrient neutrality? In short, it describes the process of ensuring that new developments, whether that’s residential or more recently polytunnels, do not add excess nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen to the surrounding ecosystem, especially the water environment. When this addition does occur, it can lead to eutrophication, ultimately disturbing the natural mineral levels leading to ecological degradation. 


Our unique positioning, which combines our understanding of the natural water system, along with various developments and our work with agricultural clients, means we have an independent view of the concerns at hand. Where nutrient offsetting is required, our driven approach will use one person’s problem as another’s solution. For example, if excess nutrients are added due to development, offsetting may be required by altering land use from farmland to woodland. Overall, the technical solution our team provide will help to create nutrient balance in the ecosystem.


By understanding all sides of the problem, our expert team will ensure your nutrient net-zero solution will meet regulatory requirements whilst providing additional benefits. Take a read of our bulletin below to learn more about achieving nutrient neutrality. 

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Climate change is an urgent issue we cannot ignore, and requires the collective action of communities across the globe if the worst effects are to be mitigated. From rising sea levels, extreme weather events to a loss of biodiversity, the potential impacts are widespread. However, this world water day, the focus is rightly on glacial preservation - our planet's largest natural freshwater reservoir. Why is it important? At Envireau Water, we recognise the widespread impact that glacial meltwater has across the whole planet, leading to the escalation of more extreme weather events as a result. Not only does this impact the environment with the disruption of ecosystems and water cycles, but also has a profound impact on society and industries reliant on a stable water supply. As a team of water scientists, we have witnessed first-hand the undeniable impact that flooding and drought events have had on the mineral, agricultural, industrial and development sectors, from failing crops and flooded farmland to a halt in distilling operations and delayed development projects, the ripple effects of these events are felt across communities and businesses alike.

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Achieving nutrient neutrality is a challenging task, and is one that developers all over the country have battled to achieve over the last 5-6 years. In March 2022, Natural England issued a directive to Local Planning Authorities, County Councils, the Environment Agency, the Planning Inspectorate, Natural Resources Wales, and DLUHC stating that, in specific river catchments, developments should not be permitted if the LPA cannot definitively ensure that it will not adversely impact protected environmental sites due to increased levels of nitrate and/or phosphate. While the current approach is efficient, robust, and objective, it can also be slow, costly, and overly complex—leading to potential project delays and increased expenses for housing developers. To address these challenges, the government released the Planning Reform Working Paper in December 2024. This initiative aims to unlock approximately 28,000 homes across seven areas in England that had been stalled due to nutrient neutrality concerns, backed by £47 million from the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

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