Fifty stalled planning applications can now move forward after a boundary has changed.
Natural England has confirmed the changes to the River Eden Nutrient Neutrality catchment boundary in Cumbria, due to improved environmental conditions.
It means that some major urban areas, including Carlisle, are no longer subject to all the Nutrient Neutrality requirements.
The requirements ensure no net increase in nutrient pollution – nitrogen or phosphorus – enters protected habitats. Developers must use calculators to determine nutrient loads and implement mitigation, such as wetlands or land-use changes, to achieve neutral or negative impact.
The areas now outside the boundary are released from the stringent planning constraints.
Due to the changes in the boundary, it means areas outside the catchment now include the whole of Carlisle, Brampton, Wetheral, Great Salkeld, Lazonby, Calthwaite and High Hesket.
The 50 applications include proposals for 500 new affordable homes.
However, Nutrient Neutrality requirements will remain in place for other parts of the River Eden catchment, and for the Derwent and Bassenthwaite, River Kent, and Esthwaite Water catchments, where further water quality improvements are still needed.
Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership – Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils and the Lake District National Park Authority – welcomed the recognition of the progress made in the county.
The partnership works with environmental organisations and agencies to deliver innovative solutions that enable sustainable development while safeguarding our natural habitats.
