Issue - meetings

When planning for new homes the Council must ensure the development is nitrogen neutral and does not have an adverse effect upon Poole Harbour Special Protection Area. Nitrates cause algal mats which smother the feeding areas of internationally protected birds.

BCP Council and Dorset Council work in partnership to collect contributions from developers and use them to implement mitigation projects to ensure development within the catchment of Poole Harbour is nitrogen neutral. The councils award grants for projects that change agricultural land from high to low nitrate input, in order to offset the impact of nutrients entering Poole Harbour through sewage treatment works, including Poole. The strategy is set out in the Poole Local Plan (2018) and the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour Supplementary Planning Document (2017).

There are 2,076 planned homes in the Poole Local Plan area requiring 105 hectares of agricultural offsetting within the Poole Harbour water catchment basin during 2020/21. The Council is collecting developer contributions for this purpose with no implications for the Council budget.

The proposal is to use developer contributions to award grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust, to purchase agricultural land and manage it in perpetuity as low nitrate input. Known as the Dorset Nature Park, this proposal will allow the Council to continue to grant planning permission for new homes, as well as providing multiple benefits to residents across Dorset and BCP Council areas. This proposal has the written support of Natural England.

The ? presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix '?' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Public Report 

RECOMMENDED/RESOLVED that

(a)  In principle agreement to award grant of £2,047,500 to Dorset Wildlife Trust to offset the nitrate impact upon Poole Harbour Special Protection Area from planned housing and tourism accommodation during 2020/21;

(b)   In principle agreement to award Dorset Wildlife Trust an additional £741,000 to mitigate planned development during 2021/22; and

The Council finance this proposal from community infrastructure levy and planning obligations, as a grant with conditions attached, naming Dorset Wildlife Trust as beneficiary.

Voting: Unanimous/Nem. Con. X:Y (Z abstentions)

When planning for new homes the Council must ensure the development is nitrogen neutral and does not have an adverse effect upon Poole Harbour Special Protection Area. Nitrates cause algal mats which smother the feeding areas of internationally protected birds.

BCP Council and Dorset Council work in partnership to collect contributions from developers and use them to implement mitigation projects to ensure development within the catchment of Poole Harbour is nitrogen neutral. The councils award grants for projects that change agricultural land from high to low nitrate input, in order to offset the impact of nutrients entering Poole Harbour through sewage treatment works, including Poole. The strategy is set out in the Poole Local Plan (2018) and the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour Supplementary Planning Document (2017).

There are 2,076 planned homes in the Poole Local Plan area requiring 105 hectares of agricultural offsetting within the Poole Harbour water catchment basin during 2020/21. The Council is collecting developer contributions for this purpose with no implications for the Council budget.

The proposal is to use developer contributions to award grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust, to purchase agricultural land and manage it in perpetuity as low nitrate input. Known as the Dorset Nature Park, this proposal will allow the Council to continue to grant planning permission for new homes, as well as providing multiple benefits to residents across Dorset and BCP Council areas. This proposal has the written support of Natural England.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'J' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that when planning for new homes the Council must ensure the development is nitrogen neutral and does not have an adverse effect upon Poole Harbour Special Protection Area. Nitrates cause algal mats which smother the feeding areas of internationally protected birds.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that BCP Council and Dorset Council work in partnership to collect contributions from developers and use them to implement mitigation projects to ensure development within the catchment of Poole Harbour is nitrogen neutral. The councils award grants for projects that change agricultural land from high to low nitrate input, in order to offset the impact of nutrients entering Poole Harbour through sewage treatment works, including Poole. The strategy is set out in the Poole Local Plan (2018) and the Nitrogen Reduction in Poole Harbour Supplementary Planning Document (2017).

Further to this Cabinet was advised that there are 2,076 planned homes in the Poole Local Plan area requiring 105 hectares of agricultural offsetting within the Poole Harbour water catchment basin during 2020/21, and that the Council is collecting developer contributions for this purpose with no implications for the Council budget.

Cabinet was informed that the proposal is to use developer contributions to award grant to Dorset Wildlife Trust, to purchase agricultural land and manage it in perpetuity as low nitrate input. Known as the Dorset Nature Park, this proposal will allow the Council to continue to grant planning permission for new homes, as well as providing multiple benefits to residents across Dorset and BCP Council areas. This proposal has the written support of Natural England.

Councillor Andy Hadley addressed the Committee stressing concerns in relation to additional developments adding to the problems relating to nitrates and sewerage.

RECOMMENDED that:-

(a)          In principle agreement to award grant of £2,047,500 to Dorset Wildlife Trust to offset the nitrate impact upon Poole Harbour Special Protection Area from planned housing and tourism accommodation during 2020/21;

(b)           In principle agreement to award Dorset Wildlife Trust an additional £741,000 to mitigate planned development during 2021/22; and

(c)           The Council finance this proposal from community infrastructure levy and planning obligations, as a grant with conditions attached, naming Dorset Wildlife Trust as beneficiary.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning