Nutrient Neutrality Principles (TIN186)

Nutrient neutrality is a means of ensuring that a development plan or project does not add to existing nutrient burdens within catchments, so there is no net increase in nutrients as a result of the plan or project. Where neutrality measures are needed, the purpose of these mitigation measures is to avoid impacts to the designated sites, rather than compensating for the impacts once they have occurred. This document has been produced by Natural England to provide further details on the key principles that underpin nutrient neutrality, the mitigation measures employed for it to meet the requirements of the Habitat Regulations and the application of nutrient neutrality within England.