The Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership has today announced its Nutrient Credit Scheme, helping unlock new homes and local investment while preventing further phosphorus nutrient pollution across Cumbria's most protected rivers and lakes.
In parts of Cumbria, nutrient neutrality rules can mean planning applications need to provide evidence that new development won't add to phosphorus levels in sensitive water catchments.
Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council and the Lake District National Park Authority have worked together to unlock stalled development and plan for future development, while protecting some of Cumbria's most sensitive river catchments.
To date, the partnership has delivered nutrient mitigation credits through upgrades to septic tanks and through land-based mitigation projects.
Building on this progress, the partnership is now preparing to make Nutrient Credits available for developers to purchase, offering a clear and reliable route to compliance.
Angela Jones, Director of Thriving Places at Westmorland and Furness Council and chair of the Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership Board, said: "Creating a system and mitigations which ensure developments in the affected areas can discharge their obligations to nutrient neutrality has been challenging. But the partnership's work to soon make the credits available is a huge step forward and I urge developers and applicants to familiarise themselves with the scheme now before it officially launches."
Steve Ratcliffe, Director of Sustainable Development, Lake District National Park Authority, said: "We are delighted to have our initial batch of mitigation solutions in place so we can begin offering nutrient credits to support sustainable development within our sensitive water catchments. This is a major step for Cumbria, enabling essential housing to progress while protecting the rivers and habitats that make the National Park so special. These long‑term solutions can mean development can move forward responsibly, with its ecological impacts properly understood and managed. I wish to thank all involved in bringing forward these solutions."
The scheme applies to development within four catchments: River Eden SAC; River Derwent & Bassenthwaite Lake SAC; River Kent SAC; and Esthwaite Water Ramsar site. Purchasing credits enables developers to demonstrate nutrient neutrality, allowing planning applications to progress where nutrient impacts would otherwise need mitigation.
The pre‑application stage opened on 30 April, announcing the trading scheme and providing developers the information they need so they can buy credits allowing applicants to check nutrient calculations, confirm details with case officers and ask questions.
Applications for credits can be submitted from 1 June.
Developers are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest to info@cumbriann.co.uk; demand data will help shape future mitigation planning and supply across catchments.
Detailed guidance, eligibility criteria and FAQs is now available on the scheme webpage at cumbrianutrientneutrality.co.uk
General enquiries: info@cumbriann.co.uk
Credits
One credit equals 1kg of phosphorus per year and is sold in increments of 0.01kg. Credits will be available across all four catchments, with sub‑catchment availability published online. Credits provide a clear, reliable route to compliance and can remove the need for developers to set up and manage their own long‑term mitigation measures.
What you need to apply
A valid planning application.
Up‑to‑date nutrient calculations using the latest Natural England nutrient calculator.
A 15 per cent deposit may be requested (refundable, minus an administration fee, if planning consent is not secured).
How allocations work
Provisional allocations are held for 6 months; unused credits return to the pool. If demand exceeds supply, allocations will follow the published Credit Allocation Policy. Applicants can request to be notified when credits become available in constrained sub‑catchments.
Temporary credits areavailable where wastewater treatment works upgrades are planned before 2030.
All developments that need temporary credits are also expected to need permanent credits.
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