16 Jan 2025

The UK Water Report says the Environment Agency (EA) has found catchment nutrient balancing (CNB) to be “ineffective and unworkable as a regulatory mechanism”. Ahead of Christmas, it told water companies it was minded to withdraw CNB permitting as a regulatory mechanism for wastewater treatment works discharges – from the start of AMP8. CNB allows water […]

14 Nov 2024

The government hopes that tens of thousands of new homes will be delivered across England, thanks to funding and partnership work, to unlock stalled homes across England, and support its ambition to build 1.5 million homes. Round 2 of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund will ensure building the homes we need will not come at the expense […]

28 Aug 2024

The government has published a list of sensitive catchment areas designated as catchment permitting areas under the Water Industry Act 1991. The Secretary of State has designated the following catchments as catchment permitting areas for the purposes of Chapter I, Part IV of the Water Industry Act 1991: River Avon Solent Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast […]

12 Jun 2024

Useful free to access article Abstract Managing waste nutrients from intensive freshwater and marine pond aquaculture is a global challenge. Nutrient-enriched water released from farms can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystem health. There are a range of treatment options for discharge water from fish and crustacean ponds, and this review examines the benefits and […]

06 Sep 2023

Last week, we reported how the government has scrapped nutrient neutrality rules on new developments, under pressure from housebuilders. Whilst the official press release included favourable quotes from developers and housebuilders, reaction from others has been somewhat less enthusiastic. The body set up by the government to hold it to account on protecting and improving […]

30 Aug 2023

Under pressure from housebuilders, the self-proclaimed ‘greenest government ever’ has scrapped nutrient neutrality rules on new developments. The government states that over 100,000 homes held up due to defective EU laws will be unblocked between now and 2030, delivering an estimated £18 billion boost to the economy. The change will be made through an amendment […]

05 Apr 2023

By Mike Burke, Programme Director – Sustainable Development Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for freshwater habitats and estuaries which provide a vital home to many species including wetland birds, fish, and insects. Increased levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can disrupt natural processes and harm wildlife. We know that nature is fundamental […]

30 Nov 2022

Natural England has been working closely with Defra and DLUHC, alongside the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Homes England, the Planning Advisory Service and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to develop the scheme across affected catchments in England. The first mitigation projects are currently being negotiated with two partners in the Tees catchment. Investment in feasibility studies […]