Monitoring and Evaluation of Solent Nutrient Trading Pilot Project

Tender description

The Solent is home to a range of nationally & internationally important habitats. However, many of these habitats are in unfavourable condition due to excess nutrients (particularly nitrates) in the water from a range of sources, including agric. & wastewater. NE has advised local planning authorities that demonstrating 'nutrient neutrality' (i.e. zero net impact on nitrogen pollution of the protected sites for 80 years) is a way of allowing development to proceed, while ensuring it does not further damage the condition of the protected site features. This can be achieved through various means, including by securing proportionate nitrogen reduction elsewhere in the catchment by taking land out of intensive agricultural use & creating habitat for wildlife. NE has published & actively advises local authorities & developers. There is an estimated backlog of at least 4,500 houses (at least partly due to nitrate pollution) across the Solent catchment awaiting planning permission; a lack of offsite mitigation projects has meant some developments have struggled to demonstrate 'nutrient neutrality'. The Authority is piloting a nutrient trading process to enable developers in need of nitrogen pollution mitigation solutions to connect via an online platform with land managers able to provide such solutions. For example, farmers who are willing to take some of their land out of intensive agricultural production & commit it to meadow, woodland or wetland for at least 80 years. The project, funded through Government's Shared Outcomes Fund, will test the feasibility & costs of this approach, using a reverse auction process, & explore how multiple benefits for people and nature can be maximised. This approach will bring together the relevant local actors - house builders and developers, local authorities, landowners (including farmers and wildlife organisations) & statutory bodies (NE & EA). If successful, the Authority will look to roll out the approach to other parts of Eng.