SWT Agents Forum 11th December 2020

Update: Phosphates on the Levels and Moors

Paul Browning: Strategy Specialist Email: [email protected] Phosphates on the and Moors

Introduction / background

• Natural (NE) letter 17th August 2020. • Court Judgement (ie Dutch N). • New development - phosphate neutral and does not adversely effect the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar Site. • Broad geographical extent within SWT (See Map – next slide). • NE letter also sent to other LPA’s in Somerset. Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

• Summary: Types of Development Affected. • New residential units. • Commercial developments. • Agricultural Development. • Prior Notifications. • Anaerobic Digesters. • Possibly some tourism attractions.

Full details listed on SWT website at: https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/planning/phosphat es-on-the-somerset-levels-and-moors/ Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

The principal sources of phosphates in SWT Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

SWT response to Natural England (NE) Letter • Webpage with guidance, NE Letter and FAQ’s (w/c 12th Oct). • Correspondence to all effected applicants (w/c 12th Oct). • Briefings since 6th Oct 2020: • SWT Member to Rt Hon Rebecca Pow MP 23rd Oct 2020. • Wellington Planning Seminar 18 Nov 2020. • House Builders Federation 7th Dec 2020. • Agents Forum 11th Dec 2020. • Parish Council Training 26th Jan 2021 (Original date: 10th Nov postponed due to Covid 19). • Weekly progress meetings with Legal : Shape Mendip. Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

SWT response to Natural England (NE) Letter (cont) • “Big tent” meeting with NE, Wessex Water and all the Somerset LPA’s and & Dorset Council (22nd Oct 2020).

• Agreed governance structures. Collectively working on solutions:

• Interim Development Management solutions. • Phosphate strategy.

Interim Development Management solutions Phosphates Strategy

Timeframe: the now and immediate / short term. Timeframe: Medium to long term (Summer / Autumn 2021).

Focus: – Currently SWT area: (Reasons: Un-blocking 300+ Focus: Somerset. District and county planning matters. planning applications / circa 5000 homes/ £40m at risk of Allow future development to take place within River Tone, government funding). Parrett, Brue and Axe catchment areas without giving rise to additional phosphates.

Workstreams: Workstreams: • Develop a draft spreadsheet calculator for • Review and confirm geographical extent of the phosphates model and interim solution reporting “Area of risk”. would take between 4 and 6 weeks. • Review types of development and interim DM • Identify solutions. solutions and avoidance / mitigation options. Evidence revisions to the list. (Reporting draft solutions: late January 2021). • Planning Policy: Develop a model nutrient neutrality policy for Local Plans.

• Produce A Supplementary Planning Document

(SPD) containing an agreed method and tariffs for

administrating, implementing, managing and monitoring. • Training and information sessions for officers and planning committees / boards.

Method: targeted individual consultations with NE, Wessex Method: to be agreed. Water, EA and SCC Ecology.

Lead Authority: SWT. MDC and SSDC have joined. If they Lead Authority: SWT. County wide project / programme so wish, others LPA’s can join SWT. There is no compulsion involving all the Somerset LPA’s. to do so .

Project Management: DM sub Group. Project Management: Policy sub Group.

Appointment Consultant: Royal Haskoning. Appointment Consultant: subject to competitive tender

process.

Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

Economic impact in SWT

• Over 300 current planning applications on hold. • Circa 5,400 residential units on hold/delayed (including 1,130 affordable housing units). • Circa 150 affordable housing units supported with Government funding at risk. • £14.2m Government infrastructure funding awarded and £27.4m awaiting decision. • Potential estimated loss of planning fee income £408k. • Disproportionate affect on small and medium size enterprises (SME’s). Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

Other potential impacts in SWT • Difficult to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply and meet planning determination targets. • Stalled economic growth plans / town centre re-generation. • Supply Chain, SMEs and subcontractors impacted. • Loss of confidence from investors.

Letter to government • Collectively the lower tier Somerset Authorities are seeking Government support to assist with these issues. Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

End Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors

Discussion … any questions ?