The Solent Mitigation Partnership has released the fourth edition of the Solent catchment nutrient supply and demand analysis.
The report, prepared by SMP’s strategic team, supports the Solent Nutrient Market by helping public and private sector mitigation providers identify which catchments need additional supply.
The supply and demand figures have both been updated since the last iteration of the report with the demand figures in particular seeing a significant change as the figures consider the recently adopted revised standard method, from the December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework. The housing figures are provided by each Local Planning Authority in the catchment and are in line with their latest Local Plan provision. The housing figures used to inform the nutrient budgets are, therefore, the latest projections the Local Planning Authorities currently hold.
Key Findings:
- Three out of six catchments (50%) currently have enough mitigation to meet demand for the next five years.
- East Hampshire Rivers: Slight shortfall over five years, but pipeline projects should close the gap.
- Upper Itchen: Second-largest shortfall. Some mitigation is in the pipeline, but more will be needed to fully meet demand.
- Test and Itchen (Total Nitrogen): Largest shortfall of all catchments. Planned mitigation will cover only about 55% of the need, so significant additional supply is required.
We would like to thank everyone who was involved in producing the report as it would not be possible without the continued support and input that private sector mitigation providers and Local Authority Planning teams provide. These relationships are essential and with each iteration of demand assessment undertaken the quality of the dataset is becoming more refined.
