Decision details
The creation of a new Environmental Advice Service (EAS)
Decision Maker: Service Director – Environment , Highways, & Waste
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
Since the European Court of Justice
‘Dutch Case’ ruling, planning consents in the River Wye
are limited based on their phosphate loading to the river.
The Local Plan identifies a housing need of circa 4,000 new homes
in the Lugg sub-catchment. To sign off on a Habitat Regulations
Assessment for development within the Clun and the Lugg catchment
developers must demonstrate nutrient neutrality; that is phosphates
in the Lugg and nitrates and phosphates for the Clun. A development
can show that it is nutrient neutral through long term mitigation
schemes that remove nutrients from the watercourse.
At present, the only mitigation scheme in Herefordshire is the
council’s wetland scheme, which has released some credits.
However, to enable continued growth throughout the county, the
council are keen for developers to pursue their own
mitigation.
Herefordshire Council is now able to offer an Environmental Advice
Service (EAS) as part of a paid service offered by the Built and
Natural Environment Service.
The Environmental Advice Service can assist developers with
bringing forward private mitigation schemes to offset the nutrient
budget of development proposals.
The service is separate to the planning process and it is available
for a variety of services, focusing around the environmental
impacts of the project. It will co-ordinate services with other
statutory bodies as required (Natural England, Environment Agency,
Natural Resource Wales, etc) consolidating advice for the applicant
in a report.
This will be a fee based service as follows (Herefordshire Council
Environmental Advice Service (EAS)):
• Simple projects £500
• Complex projects: £1500
With any additional hours charged at £110 per hour.
Contact: Mark Averill, Service Director Environment and Highways Email: mark.averill@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 260944.
Publication date: 28/03/2024
Date of decision: 08/03/2024
Accompanying Documents: