Councils 'must work together' to solve nitrates block on Solent homes

NEW FOREST District Council must work with other authorities to help solve a nitrates pollution problem that has blocked some planning permissions being issued near the Solent, its deputy leader has warned.

Although the local area is so far unaffected, in East Hampshire, Havant, Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth, some new housing proposals have been stopped, said Cllr Edward Heron, who is also cabinet member for planning and infrastructure.

The issue stems from new legal guidance given by Natural England about the impact of nitrates on protected parts of the Solent from fresh development, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice.

Cllr Heron laid out the situation to councillors at a full meeting of NFDC last night (Monday), in response to a question by Cllr Steve Clarke.

Phosphate levels within the River Avon catchment to the west of the district were an “issue”, Cllr Heron said, but mitigation projects with Wiltshire Council meant there had been no impact on residential development.

He said the ruling meant that only plans able to prove they did not have any significant effect on internationally protected sites – such as through wastewater – could be lawfully passed.

Cllr Heron said: “Whilst the New Forest is not currently affected by nitrate issues, we need to continue to work with adjoining authorities through the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) to explore short, medium and long-term solutions to deal with both nitrate and phosphate issues.”

NFDC had been working on the issue for several years with PUSH as well as Southern Water, the Environment Agency and Natural England, he said.

Cllr Heron promised to provide regular updates on what he said was an “important issue”.