Nitrates

Nitrogen neutral housing development

Natural England (NE) have raised the issue of a likely significant effect on several internationally designated sites. These sites are:

  • Special Protection Areas (SPA)
  • Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
  • Ramsar sites

The issue is due to the increase in wastewater from the new developments coming forward. The Solent has recognised problems from nitrate enrichment. High levels of nitrogen from human activity and agricultural sources in the catchment have caused excessive growth of green algae. This is having a detrimental impact upon protected habitats and bird species.

We have published a Position Statement. This statement sets out our approach to:

  • new housing development being proposed on the island
  • island land being used for ‘nitrate credits’ to offset mainland development