NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY

planning in norfolk

Large parts of Norfolk are now in a Nutrient Neutrality zone, meaning new housing cannot get planning until it can demonstrate it is nutrient neutral. Wendling Beck are working closely with local authorities, Natural England and specialist consultants to deliver a nutrient mitigation strategy across the project. This will generate a bank of Phosphorus and Nitrate credits which developers can buy to offset their requirements (subject to spatial policy rules).

Water quality across

Wendling Beck

Aerial view of Anglian Water treatment centre in Norfolk.

We are working hard to improve water quality across the Wendling Beck sub-catchment, which is part of the wider River Wensum, one of the best examples of a chalk river network anywhere in the world.

The River Wensum Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has suffered significant damage due to high nutrient levels. Investment in nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient levels, alongside investment in water treatment by Anglian Water, should provide a brighter future for some of the UK’s most important rivers. 

Aerial view of wetland creation as part of Wendling Beck's nutrient mitigation scheme.
Aerial view off wooded pond in Norfolk's Wendling Beck.
Aerial view of cows grazing Wendling Beck wetlands, supported by nutrient neutrality credits.