The Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership is pleased to announce that the Cumbria Nutrient Credit Scheme is now live, helping unlock new homes and local investment while preventing further phosphorus nutrient pollution across Cumbria’s most protected rivers and lakes.
Applications for the scheme have opened, allowing developers to easily demonstrate that proposals achieve Nutrient Neutrality requirements.
In parts of Cumbria, nutrient neutrality rules can mean planning applications need to provide evidence that new development won’t add to phosphorus levels in sensitive water catchments.
Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council and the Lake District National Park Authority have worked together to develop nutrient mitigation solutions. This is being delivered through upgrades to septic tanks and through land-based mitigation projects.
Nutrient Credits are now available for developers to purchase, offering a clear and reliable route to compliance. Purchasing Nutrient Credits enables developers to demonstrate nutrient neutrality in planning applications. This allows housing to progress where nutrient impacts would otherwise need mitigation, unlocking stalled development and plan for future development, while protecting some of Cumbria’s most sensitive river catchments.
The scheme is available for impacted development within four catchments: the River Eden SAC; River Derwent & Bassenthwaite Lake SAC; River Kent SAC; and Esthwaite Water Ramsar.
Detailed guidance, eligibility criteria and FAQs is now available.
Credits
One credit equals 1kg of phosphorus per year and is sold in increments of 0.01kg. Credits are available across all four catchments, with sub-catchment availability published online. Credits provide a clear, reliable route to compliance and can remove the need for developers to set up and manage their own long-term mitigation measures.
What you need to apply
- A valid planning application;
- Up-to-date nutrient calculations agreed using the latest Natural England nutrient calculator;
- Payment of either a 15 per cent deposit to reserve credits for six months; or payment in full. (These are refundable, minus an administration fee, if planning consent is not secured).
How allocations work
Provisional allocations are held for six months; unused credits return to the pool. If demand exceeds supply, allocations will follow the published Credit Allocation Policy. Applicants can request to be notified when credits become available in constrained sub-catchments.
- Temporary credits are available where Wastewater Treatment Work upgrades are planned before 2030;
- Developments that require temporary credits are also expected to need permanent mitigation.