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Latest Updates for Nutrient Neutrality North West
Thank you for signing up to receive updates about the Nutrient Neutrality North West project. As someone who expressed interest in staying informed, this newsletter provides the latest developments, opportunities and progress updates from the project.
We are committed to keeping you informed about the work being undertaken to support sustainable development while protecting our region's vital waterways. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, you can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of the email.
Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund
As mentioned in an earlier update email, in April 2024, we submitted a bid to fund the creation of strategic solutions to deliver nutrient mitigation solutions across the four affected NN catchments.
We are pleased to announce that at the end of 2024, we successfully secured £16.4 million from our bid to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to enable and accelerate the delivery of projects providing nutrient mitigation to support sustainable development. We are now prioritising strategic solutions and initiating the process of securing delivery mechanisms to deliver credits to mitigate nutrient impacts.
Enhance Your Tank Scheme (EYT)
Round One of the scheme has closed, and Expressions of Interest for Round Two are now open.
The submission deadline is 28 February 2025. Those who submitted tanks in Round One will be contacted about the next steps.
Replacing septic tanks with more efficient modern systems can reduce phosphorus entering watercourses. Natural England, therefore, accepts septic tank and PTP replacements as suitable forms of nutrient mitigation (provided they meet certain criteria).
Submitting a system for consideration does not commit the owner or the authority to take any further action at this stage.
Mitigation Solutions Report Update
The Mitigation Solutions Report, produced by Ricardo AEA in 2024, will be updated and completed in spring.
The report will help us understand the strategic approach to mitigation solutions to formulate a nutrient mitigation scheme that provides mitigation at the correct scale across the most effective catchment areas to release housing. The previous report highlighted the main sources of phosphorous pollution in the four affected Nutrient Neutrality catchments and identified potential mitigation solutions to offset new development. The latest report will consider the impact of United Utilities improvements at wastewater treatment works through their Technically Achievable Limits project, which changes the levels of mitigation required in some areas of the catchments after 2030.
Nutrient Neutrality Team
We have welcomed three new staff members to the LDNPA Nutrient Neutrality team.
Firstly Oliver Borrowdale, Planner (Nutrient Neutrality). Oliver has a Masters degree in Environmental Governance from the University of Manchester. He has come to us through the Pathways to Planning scheme, which aims to train future planners. He will be working with us on the strategy and delivery of the NN project. Oliver.Borrowdale@lakedistrict.gov.uk
Also joining the team is Saskia Read, Administration Officer (Nature Recovery). Saskia has recently graduated from her Masters degree at Lancaster University with a background in Animal Conservation and Biodiversity. Her role is administration based and will support the rest of the NN team. Saskia.Read@lakedistrict.gov.uk
Lastly, meet Natalie Harvey, our new Communications & Engagement Officer. She is currently working on the Nutrient Neutrality project and the Love Windermere Partnership. With experience in several projects across the country, she aims to boost awareness and showcase these initiatives' positive impacts.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Leanne Parr for her dedicated efforts on the project. She has since transitioned from her position as Catchment Nutrients Officer.
We hope you enjoyed reading the latest update and we look forward to keeping you informed.
All the best,
Contact
Saskia Read Oliver Borrowdale
Nutrient Neutrality Administration Officer Nutrient Neutrality Planner
Saskia.Read@lakedistrict.gov.uk Oliver.Borrowdale@lakedistrict.gov.uk
