As set out in the cabinet member decision, the creation of a Phosphate Mitigation Scheme, 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.

At present, the Local Plan identifies a housing need of circa 4,000 new homes in the Lugg sub-catchment and now proposes a three Phase Nutrient
Mitigation Scheme to deliver nearly all of that need. Phasing of the scheme will ensure supply is released to match demand and the council’s capacity to bring the new assets on stream is focused and not over stretched.

A Financial Model has been developed which sets out the funding and expenditure flow through the Council’s Nutrient Trading Phosphate Mitigation Scheme. The Council is unwilling and unable to make a profit or loss on the cost of phosphate mitigation credits, and the cost will be assessed periodically. The Council’s Nutrient Trading Phosphate Mitigation Scheme will deliver a minimum of 3,471 homes.