To tackle nutrient neutrality, PfSH has been taking a strategic approach to finding sites to mitigate nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. PfSH also works with private mitigation suppliers to help them bring forward their schemes. By looking across the entire catchment, rather than within the confines of individual local planning authorities, development has been able to continue in a more sustainable manner. There are now a number of private and local authority owned mitigation sites available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Following two successful bids to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s “Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund”, PfSH was awarded just over £16.5 million in funding. This fund is being used to create nutrient reduction projects around the Solent – including large-scale agricultural reversion projects, package treatment plant/septic tank upgrades and water efficiency improvements to council owned homes. This work is being undertaken through PfSH’s Solent Mitigation Partnership Team. Through the Solent Mitigation Partnership team, PfSH is also exploring new, innovative solutions and partnership opportunities to diversify the methods used for nutrient reduction and provide additional benefits for the environment and society.
Recent Work:
- In July 2024, two agricultural fields were purchased in the vicinity of Stubbington, Fareham. This land was intensively farmed for cereal crops and drained into the Meon River and Titchfield NNR through a series of ditches and a stream. This land will now be managed for nature for the next 100 years. This mitigation scheme can serve developments in the East Hampshire Rivers catchment and Ashlett Creek WwTW.
- In December 2024, several local authorities signed an Inter Authority Agreement and formed the Solent Mitigation Partnership. This agreement has made it possible for Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund schemes to supply mitigation to developers across the Solent and ensure that they meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations. As of February 2025, 16 local authorities have now signed the Inter Authority Agreement. You can read more about the Solent Mitigation Partnership.
- In March 2025, PfSH published the most recent nutrient mitigation supply and demand analysis.
- In 2025, PfSH will be looking to deliver large scale projects in the Test and Itchen catchment, and smaller scales projects across the other Solent catchments. This decision is informed by our biannual mitigation supply and demand analysis. Recent and past reports can be found on the Joint Committee pages of the PfSH website.