Nutrient targets and impacts on your development
In January 2021 Natural Resources Wales published new targets for the concentration of phosphates in Special Areas of Conservation across Wales; additional phosphorus information was published in 2023 followed by other water quality targets in 2024. The revised targets followed evidence from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee that warmer and drier weather, predicted as a result of climate change, could reduce river flows during the summer and, therefore, increase nutrients concentrations. It is based on new evidence about the damaging effect of excess nutrients to water ecosystems and species.
Three rivers within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park – the rivers Wye, Usk and Tywi – are designated as riverine Special Areas of Conservations and we have produced a map showing the rivers and their catchments in the context on the National Park Boundary. At present, the Wye and the Usk have significant failures against Natural Resources Wales’ phosphorus targets; the Tywi is passing the targets, although with limited headroom. Further details on the status against these targets can be found within the Natural Resources Wales Compliance Assessment report of Welsh River Special Areas of Conservation against Phosphorus Targets Report and the Compliance Assessment of Welsh River Special Areas of Conservation Against Water Quality Targets.
At present, over 60% of waterbodies in Wales fail against the tighter targets, and Local Planning Authorities are being asked to take more action to avoid further deterioration of the environment. This means all future development proposals within failing Special Areas of Conservation River Catchments that will generate an increase in the volume of wastewater must now prove that the ensuing development will not contribute to increased nutrient levels.
Natural Resources Wales have provided guidance to Local Planning Authorities for the consideration of the impacts of proposed developments requiring planning consent on these nutrient sensitive rivers. Local Authorities must comply with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and have a statutory duty to achieve the water quality targets and protect the river Special Areas of Conservations through the regulation of activities for which they are responsible.
Development proposals within these catchments, and especially those in proximity to these rivers, may have limited capacity to connect to the public sewerage system or to install private treatment systems. Alternative solutions may need to be found that will meet the new targets, either by meeting nutrient neutrality or providing betterment.
To assist applicants and agents we have developed a Nutrient Statement, which sets out the Authority’s approach in considering planning applications which involve new connections to the larger Wastewater Treatment Works in the Wye, Usk and Tywi nutrient sensitive Special Area of Conservation catchments. Please find our Nutrient Statement dated December 2024
**The Authority’s Nutrient Statement (dated December 2024) is based on current and most-to-date information and will be periodically reviewed as new information becomes available. New monitoring compliance data is due to be published by Natural Resources Wales in early 2025 which is likely to trigger a review of this Statement**.
We will continue to update this page with further information as soon as we are able.