The need to be neutral

In the UK there are few areas where development has not left its mark. As a result, many of the local rivers and the habitats depending on the water they provide are under serious pressure. Subsequently several sensitive habitats are suffering from overload of nutrients and stress from droughts. Planning authorities and key stakeholders are taking action to tackle the problem and many developments have been brought to a halt because they are deemed to contribute to these issues.

The prevailing approach being adopted by councils is that if you want to build new homes, you need to prove that these are nutrient/water neutral; in other words there needs to be zero impact on any designated sites within your development’s catchment - you need to be neutral!