What is Nutrient Neutrality?

When it comes to building on green sites, there’s more to think about than the view. Employers have a legal duty not to cause detrimental impacts on the natural habitat they’re developing on.

Nutrient neutrality planning helps ensure building projects are sustainable, ethical, and legally compliant. If you neglect the regulations it comes with, you could end up facing financial penalties and even company prohibitions.

In this guide, we’ll look at what nutrient neutrality is, why it’s important, and how to promote it within your building projects.

What is nutrient neutrality?

Nutrient neutrality is about ensuring any new building development avoids polluting the local environment. This is also known as ‘eutrophication’. The term is usually related to agricultural health and safety.

The method allows employers to carry out developments without affecting the ecosystem surrounding their builds. Nutrient neutrality has a heavy presence in certain sectors, like agriculture and construction.

Many development projects are carried out in ‘unfavourable conditions’. However, nutrient neutrality is all about finding a balance when building on green catchment areas. Developers are encouraged to reduce practices that cause additional nutrient levels.

Which areas impact nutrient neutrality the most?

There are numerous areas that impact nutrient neutrality numbers. For example:

• Agriculture: For example, from fertilisers, animal waste, slurry.
• Residential: For example, from sewage and wastewater leaking into rivers (beyond what water companies allow).
• Construction: For example, from surface water (‘run-off’) created during building development projects.

Why is nutrient neutrality important?

There are several reasons as to why nutrient neutrality is important. Most plant and wildlife habitats live on nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus. However, when their environments face huge reconstruction, it leaves their natural nutrient production in disorder.

An excess of such nutrients can harm or even ruin entire ecosystems. But it’s not just about an overload of nutrients, some builds can cause an increase of wastewater and unwanted plant infestation.

It can be hard to track additional pollution or waste during development projects. However, with the right methods, you’ll be able to comply with legal regulations whilst protecting your nearby ecosystem.

Is nutrient neutrality a legal requirement?

Under UK law, there isn’t specific nutrient neutrality legislation. However, there are relevant regulations employers must comply with. One of them is the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It’s also known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’. 

The law requires businesses and local planning authorities (LPAs) to present methods in mitigating environmental pollution. Natural England also offers guidance on protecting natural habitats. They also help developers build safely on certain protected sites.

Some developers say nutrient neutrality leads to costly delays and cancellations for business. They believe agricultural and water companies should manage pollution levels. However, environmentalists disagree stating developers have a shared responsibility.

How to promote nutrient neutrality during your builds

It doesn’t matter if you work in farming or construction, it’s important to reach nutrient neutrality during when developing on green sites. 

With the right steps, your business can thrive from all kinds of benefits - financially, ethically, and environmentally. Let’s take a look at ways to promote nutrient neutrality during your builds:

Research your nutrient neutrality level

The first step to take is researching what your nutrient neutrality level is. This should be done before initiating any part of your development plans.

With the correct ethos, you’ll be able to discover what the current levels are within the green area in question. From here, developers can use this data as a marker to base your building project on.

If the levels are already concerning, you may be told not to build at all. Natural England list sites which should avoid development due to unfavourable conditions. So, it’s always best to research beforehand – saving your business time, effort, and money.

Create a nutrient neutrality assessment

Next step involves creating a nutrient neutrality assessment. These tests help identify and minimise pollution levels within certain ecosystems

Some developments projects will present all kinds of requirements and queries. Developers could face dealing with both low and high-risk areas – both of which require specific assistance. That’s why it’s best to cater to all assessment areas related to your project.

Think about, ‘what is the current level of nutrients in the area? What was the rate before any building development started?’ If these numbers have increased, you’ll need to introduce methods to either bring levels lower or reduce them for good.

Use nutrient neutrality calculators

Many of us will struggle to measure pollution levels within our local areas. The best way to deal with this task is by using nutrient neutrality calculators. 

These calculators help outline pollution levels before, during, and after building projects. They can even outline estimates on how much a future project could create – helping to keep you legally compliant before starting projects.

Outline your own evaluations before initiating your build. And ensure you keep within these numbers, as well as comply with nutrient neutrality rules related to them.

Acknowledge your legal requirements

When it comes to building on nutrient neutrality catchment sites, there’s more to it than basic health and safety. Developers should all acknowledge their legal requirements for reaching nutrient neutrality.

Again, whilst it isn’t a specific law, you’ll need to comply with other relevant legislation. Consequences for breaching nutrient neutrality rules may stretch beyond pausing a project. You could end up facing compensation fines, company prohibitions, or even overall termination.

As of 2024, the Habitat Regulations are still being amended in Parliament. So, keep updated with any upcoming nutrient neutrality amendments that may involve your projects.

Get expert nutrient neutrality advice with Peninsula

When it comes to development projects, it’s important to ensure they’re carried out the right way. Concentrating on nutrient neutrality helps promote safe, ethical, and green building.

Peninsula is here to provide expert advice on nutrient neutrality. We offer 24-hour H&S advice –  keeping your company compliant with environmental laws. 

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.