Brett Spiller, Director at Chapman Lily Planning, key takeaways are:-
- The first round of applications for the Poole Harbour catchment area opens at 10am on 31 July 2024 and closes at 11:55pm on 27 August 2024.
- A planning application reference is required before you apply for credits. To be eligible your development must be classed as a permanent residential development and be within the Poole Harbour catchment area. The number of credits is generated from the completion of the nitrogen calculator (note phosphates is no longer applicable).
- The cost of a credit in the Poole Harbour catchment area for round one is £3,250. One credit = one kilogram (kg) of nitrogen. The cost of credits can vary between catchment areas and in different rounds, depending on how much mitigation projects cost.
- This includes a standard admin fee of £182.50 plus VAT per application. The fee covers the cost of processing the application and is non-refundable.
- Credits are allocated depending on the number of housing units you plan to build. In any one round, 60% of the credits will be made available to smaller developments (those of 50 units or fewer) and 40% to larger developments (those of 51 units or more).
It is unclear as to whether this takes immediate effect in BCP and Dorset part of the Poole Harbour Catchment – albeit judging by the dates we suspect it does – superseding the Nitrates in Poole Harbour SPD, that currently secures payment via the CIL pot.
It is unclear whether the process will apply to those sites with outline planning permission, but seeking the approval of RMs or where conditions need to be discharged (noting the Court of Appeal recently dismissed CG Fry’s challenge at Jurston).
Attached link to the latest guidance on how to apply for nutrient mitigation credits from Natural England.