As set out in the cabinet member decision, the creation of wetland areas will, in addition to improving the water quality of the River Lugg, positively contribute toward the delivery of the environmental and economic priorities within the County Plan 2020-2024; enhancing local biodiversity, enabling sustainable housing growth in the north of the county and reducing carbon emissions through carbon sequestration.

The benefits of wetlands in releasing prospective housing development currently unable to complete the planning process because of phosphate load will be of particular value in terms of the local construction economy and the delivery of established housing targets.

Where acquisition of land is being pursued in order to develop phosphorous-reducing wetland schemes, essential pre-requisites to construction include a detailed design process defining the form and specification of the wetland, the gaining of planning consent and certainty over necessary environmental permits. There is a requirement therefore to appoint a consultancy with the capability to provide this service if the schemes are to progress.

Wetland design is a specialist and developing area and there is a critical requirement that the design be able to successfully quantify with appropriate certainty the level of phosphorous reduction deliverable. It is essential therefore that the organisation appointed has the necessary expertise and experience in this field.

The Wye and Usk Foundation were selected through a competitive open-tender procurement process to secure best value in terms of capability and cost.

There is a need to progress these schemes without delay in order to meet expenditure targets associated with grant funding.