What is Phosphate Mitigation (What is the Phosphate Issue in Planning)?
Phosphate mitigation refers to the strategies and practices that are aimed at reducing phosphate levels in water to protect our ecosystems. The goal of phosphate mitigation is to prevent eutrophication, a process where excessive nutrients lead to harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and overall deterioration of water quality.
As planning consultants (it’s always worth using one!), we need to implement effective phosphate management when planning new developments which must adhere to legislation. We can also provide a bespoke environmental compliance consultancy to help developers and landowners comply with the latest environmental requirements, particularly in the area of phosphate mitigation.
Our services include:
- Expert Consultation on Phosphate Mitigation
- Compliance Assurance
- Customised Environmental Reports
- Navigation Assistance with EA/NE Phosphate Calculators
You can read more about our phosphate mitigation service.
What is the Phosphate Issue in Planning?
The phosphate issue is reported to have stopped housing developments in 74 planning authorities between May 2022 and August 2023[1]. It concerns elevated phosphate levels in water bodies, which have prompted actions from local authorities and government agencies. resulting regulatory measures.
Here’s a short guide to what the phosphate issue means for planning and development.
The environmental impact of phosphates
Phosphates can enter waterways from human and animal waste, plant decomposition, fertilizer, overloaded septic systems, soil erosion, and mains water leakage. This can then contribute to an environmental concern known as eutrophication.
When excess nutrients, particularly phosphates, enter waterways, it can increase algae and lead to the following issues:
- Oxygen-starved dead zones: When algae dies, their decomposition reduces oxygen availability, harming aquatic life.
- Pollution of lakes and rivers: Increased algae blooms produce toxins, affecting drinking water sources.
Natural England has indicated that phosphate pollution is causing “serious damage” to rivers and wetlands, which impacts the flora and fauna reliant on these ecosystems.
This is why there is a phosphate issue in planning regulations. The government’s Environment Act of 2021 set legally binding targets to reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater. These targets include:
- Reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution from agriculture by at least 40% by 2038.
- Reducing phosphorus loadings from treated wastewater by 80% by 2038.
Natural England has also issued guidelines to local planning authorities, stressing the need to mitigate phosphate levels when new developments are built.
Need help with Phosphate mitigation in planning?
We can help to maximise land value while ensuring environmental sustainability and compliance.
In partnership with Burrow Environmental, led by industry expert Tom Beels, Intelligent Land now offers specialised consultancy services in phosphate mitigation and environmental compliance. This new service expands our commitment to providing comprehensive and innovative solutions in land and property development.
We help clients all over the south coast and southern counties. Whether you are in Bournemouth, Southampton, Winchester, or Basingstoke, we can help.
[1] https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/house-builders-welcome-relaxation-of-nutrient-neutrality-rules-82898