Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Programme reaches two major milestones

Two major milestones have been reached by the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund programme, with 100 septic tank upgrades now completed across Cumbria's four nutrient neutrality catchments and the first sale of nutrient credits completed.

In parts of Cumbria, nutrient neutrality rules mean planning applications need to provide evidence that new housing development won't add to phosphorus levels in sensitive water catchments. Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality supports the delivery of locally-led nutrient mitigation, helping development progress in affected areas while delivering wider environmental benefits. Nutrient credits provide developers with a way to offset phosphorus impacts and support planning applications in affected catchments.

The programme has now completed 100 septic tank upgrades across the River Eden SAC, River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake SAC, River Kent SAC and Esthwaite Water Ramsar catchments. This has involved the removal and replacement of old septic tanks with modern, better-performing package treatment plant systems. One hundred of these tanks have now been installed and are generating phosphorus savings for the Cumbria Nutrient Credit Scheme.

In a further milestone, the Cumbria Nutrient Credit Scheme has completed its first sale of nutrient credits for a development in Penrith. With the issue of a Credit Certificate to this development, and further certificates ready to be issued in the coming weeks, there is now a clear route for development within sensitive sites to demonstrate that nutrient neutrality has been met.

These achievements mark significant progress in delivering practical mitigation measures that support sustainable development, whilst helping protect sensitive rivers and habitats from additional phosphorus pollution.

Angela Jones, Strategic Director, Communities, Place and Economy at Westmorland and Furness Council and chair of the Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership Board, said: "We are pleased to have reached two major milestones for the LNMF programme. Completing 100 septic tank upgrades across the four nutrient neutrality catchments is a substantial achievement and securing the first sale of credits for a development in Penrith is a major step forward to unlocking much-needed housing. We look forward to continuing to unlock development whilst ensuring there is no impact from nutrients on our protected sites."

Nutrient Credits have been secured through upgrades to septic tanks and land-based mitigation projects. Credits are now available across Cumbria, and the scheme are working to secure credits in harder-to-reach areas of the affected catchments. Developers can apply for credits through the Nutrient Neutrality website, offering a clear and reliable route to compliance.