Southwest Environmental Limited

Nutrient Neutrality Map

The below map shows the Nutrient Neutrality Affected Catchments as of December 2024. Each area if clicked upon will reveal various facts and figures re the catchment.

Some of these catchments have Nutrient Credits Schemes Up and Running. Others do not.

We have colour coded the catchments to show the Nutrient of Concern:

• Blue = Phosphorus
• Pink = Nitrates
• Green = Phosphorus & Nitrates

For a list of catchments covered by this map, please scroll down.

List of Catchments Covered by this Map

Please find below list of catchments (not in any particular order I'm afraid):

• Chesil and the Fleet SAC
• Tone Catchment
• Parrett Catchment
• Brue Catchment
• Label Poole Harbour SPA/Ramsar
• Lindisfarne SSSI
• Roman Walls Loughs SAC
• River Axe SAC
• River Camel SAC
• Label River Eden SAC
• River Itchen SAC
• Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast
• River Avon SAC
• River Clun SAC
• River Lugg SSSI
• Chichester & Langstone Harbours & Solent
• River Lambourn SSSI
• The Wye Valley SSSI
• Hornsea Mere SSSI
• Rostherne Mere
• Label Esthwaite Water Ramsar
• River Derwent & Bassenthwaite Lake SAC
• West Midlands Mosses SAC
• West Midlands Mosses SAC (Abbotts Moss)
• Label Oak Mere SAC
• River Kent SAC
• River Kent SAC
• Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes
• Trinity Broads
• Bure Broads and Marshes
• Yare Broads and Marshes
• Ant Broads and Marshes
• River Mease SAC
• Stodmarsh SAC/SPA/Ramsar
• River Wensum SAC

The below section was written by a machine.

Technical Resource: UK Nutrient Neutrality Catchment Mapping

This interactive map provides the most up-to-date geospatial data regarding nutrient neutrality requirements across England and Wales. Since the initial phosphate embargos were identified, the scope of affected catchments has expanded significantly. Developers, planners, and architects can use this resource to identify if a proposed project falls within a zone where nitrogen or phosphorus levels are strictly regulated to protect sensitive ecological receptors.

Identifying Affected Catchments

The map delineates specific boundaries where Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have issued advice regarding nutrient loading. Understanding these boundaries is the first step in determining the viability of a development. Key areas highlighted in the dataset include:

• Phosphorus Sensitive Catchments: Including the Somerset Levels and Moors, the River Wye, and the River Camel, where excessive phosphate from wastewater and agriculture is the primary concern.
• Nitrogen Sensitive Catchments: Primarily focused on coastal areas like the Solent, where nitrogen inputs from new housing must be mitigated to prevent eutrophication in marine environments.
• Dual-Nutrient Zones: Areas such as the Stodmarsh in Kent, where both nitrogen and phosphorus levels are under intense regulatory scrutiny.

Data-Driven Planning Solutions

If your site is located within an affected catchment, a formal Nutrient Neutrality Assessment and Mitigation Strategy (NNAMS) will likely be required to secure planning consent. The data provided here allows for early-stage screening, helping to identify the scale of potential nutrient offsets required. By overlaying this map with your site layout, you can begin to explore nutrient mitigation options, such as integrated constructed wetlands or land-use changes, before submitting a full application.

Technical Authority and Catchment Expertise

Navigating the complexities of nutrient mapping requires a deep understanding of hydrological catchments and environmental law. Southwest Environmental Limited provides the technical authority needed to interpret this data for planning purposes. We combine over 15 years of industry experience with a national portfolio of 900+ projects to deliver evidence-led consultancy. Whether you are dealing with a minor extension or a major strategic development, our team ensures your project is aligned with the latest regulatory maps and scientific standards (IES/BIAC).

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