Nitrogen Reduction Mitigation in Poole Harbour Catchment 

Information for developers, landowners and managers about how Dorset Council will secure Nitrogen Neutrality for planned development. Find out why it is important and how we will work in partnership to deliver it. 

See a general introduction to nutrient pollution, nutrient neutrality and the catchments where this applies in Dorset Council.

Poole Harbour Nutrient Mitigation 

Mitigation for development in Poole Harbour can be delivered anywhere within the Poole Harbour Catchment area.

Developers have the choice of securing mitigation by: 

• providing it on-site or on land in their ownership 
• or purchasing N credits from:
  • the Natural England National Mitigation Scheme
  • an accredited third party mitigation provider
  • the Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) nutrient mitigation scheme

Council Mitigation Scheme 

Dorset Council has been awarded £4.63m of grant funding from government to aid the delivery of nitrogen mitigation within the Poole Harbour catchment. This will enable both Dorset Council and BCP Council to identify and deliver both nature-based and greywater mitigation projects and to sell nutrient mitigation credits. The receipts from the sale of these credits will be reinvested to deliver further nitrogen mitigation projects.

The council also consider secondary environmental and social benefits such as nature recovery, natural flood management and public access to green spaces.

How we plan to do this

The councils will bring forward a range of mitigation projects. Projects will involve

• land management change to reduce the inputs which may enter groundwater, streams and rivers within the catchment
• creation of bespoke wetlands to remove nutrients from watercourses
• landscape scale projects to achieve multiple objectives in addition to nitrogen mitigation such as river restoration/rehabilitation and flood alleviation
• upgrading septic tanks to package treatment plants

This may involve land purchase or working with farmers and landowners to secure land-use change. See our guidance note for further guidance.

The governance  

Mitigation projects will be delivered by Dorset Council’s nutrient delivery team after approval from a steering group and senior officers in the council. Significant projects will be approved by the council cabinet. The council will take account of market rates and where appropriate seek professional guidance to help inform decisions.