Nutrient Neutrality Advice - Updated 21 July 2022
Natural England (NE) together with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH) announced on 16 March 2022 that the entire administrative area of Darlington Borough Council is now located within the catchment area of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA).
Under the Habitats Regulations, those planning authorities falling within the catchment area must carefully consider the nutrients impacts of any projects, including new development proposals, on habitat sites and whether those impacts may have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site that requires mitigation.
This is a Central Government requirement over which Darlington Borough Council as Local Planning Authority has no control, other than ensure that it’s requirements are met and are treated as a material considerations.
This matter will need to be considered as part of the application process before a decision can be made.
Following a Government Statement made on 20 July 2022, Natural England have issued further advice:
- Nutrient Neutrality Strategic Mitigation Scheme [pdf document]
-
Letter from DHLUC Chief Planner [pdf document]
