HAMPSHIRE and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) has highlighted the crucial role of nutrient neutrality schemes in protecting waterways from pollution.

This follows reports that the government was considering scrapping a policy designed to reduce the environmental impact of new developments amid claims it was blocking new houses being built.

Natural England’s Nutrient Neutrality rule ensures that developments in designated areas such as the Solent region can be approved only once suitable measures are in place to counteract increases in river pollution.

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Chief executive of HIWWT Debbie Tann said: “We are very concerned that the government is reportedly considering removing or changing the Nutrient Neutrality requirement for new developments.

“Our precious rivers and coastal areas are facing untenable levels of pollution from agriculture, industry and domestic waste, with 82 per cent failing to reach good ecological status. We must have robust measures in place to start tackling this critical issue.  

“Through our Nutrient Neutrality schemes, we have already proven a cost-effective way to unlock housebuilding while also mitigating the environmental impact of new developments – and those methods have the added benefit of helping people, communities and nature too.”

Housing developers have complained that the nutrient neutrality schemes have made it much harder to undertake schemes.

By rewilding unproductive land previously used for intensive agriculture, the trust aims to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching the Solent while also restoring habitats for wildlife and bringing additional environmental gains.

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The wildlife charity’s first such project, at Wilder Little Duxmore on the Isle of Wight, has seen a 47 per cent reduction in soil mineral nitrogen levels recorded in less than two years.

Ms Tann said: “Those results are very significant for the fight against pollution here on the south coast.

“We appreciate the need for new housing and believe that building homes in the right places is possible, but the impacts must be properly considered and addressed.

“We know that development comes at a cost to our waterways, so the sensible approach is to make sure that this is balanced by appropriate and effective mitigation measures. We cannot simply wait for long-term promises of upgraded water treatment systems or changes to agricultural policy to counteract this. We’ve all got to play our part today in the transition to sustainable growth if we are going to give nature the chance to recover.”