The government originally planned to unlock over 100,000 homes between 2023 and 2030 by amending the nutrient neutrality laws, which it claimed were blocking the building of new homes.

However, despite strong support from local authorities and housebuilders, the opposition in the house of lords voted against the government’s proposals in September 2023.

Last Thursday (25th January), the government announced new designations under the Water Industry Act 1991.

A limited exemptions process will be completed by 1st April 2024, which could impact levels of nutrient mitigation that developments must secure when connecting to specific wastewater treatment works in certain catchments.

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The 16 catchment areas are:
phosphorus sensitive catchment areas

• Poole Harbour SPA/Ramsar
•  River Avon SAC
•  River Axe SAC
•  River Camel SAC
•  River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake SAC (only applies to catchments of Bassenthwaite Lake (River Derwent and Tributaries SSSI unit 1) and River Marron (unit 124 of River Derwent and Tributaries SSSI))
•  River Eden SAC
• River Itchen SAC
• River Kent SAC (only applies to catchments of units 104 and 111 of River Kent SSSI)
• River Lambourn SAC
•  River Mease SAC
•  River Wensum SAC
• Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar
• Stodmarsh SAC/Ramsar
• The Broads SAC/Ramsar (only the following are included):
  - Bure Broads and Marshes SSSI
  - Trinity Broads SSSI
  - Yare Broads and Marshes SSSI
  - Ant Broads and Marshes SSSI
  ?- Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes SSSI

Nitrogen sensitive catchment areas

• Poole Harbour SPA/Ramsar
• Solent (catchments of):
  - Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA/Ramsar
  - Solent and Southampton Water SPA/Ramsar
  - Solent Maritime SAC
  - Portsmouth Harbour SPA/Ramsar
• Stodmarsh SAC/Ramsar
• Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA/Ramsar
•  The Broads SAC/Ramsar (only the following are included):
  - Bure Broads and Marshes SSSI  
  - Trinity Broads SSSI
  - Yare Broads and Marshes SSSI
  - Ant Broads and Marshes SSSI
  - Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes SSSI