Phosphate Credits

Works have already begun on building the world-first Integrated Wetlands site in the Lugg Catchment to allow development to recommence and deliver some improvement called “river betterment” through providing phosphate credits to offset the impact of development. 

Cabinet agreed on 26 May 2022 a Credit Pricing and Allocation Policy which was subject to Nutrient Certainty being achieved. Following those discussions the Council’s Project Team is now able to recommend that all necessary due diligence steps have been undertaken to provide the necessary assurance that Nutrient Certainty has been achieved and that Phosphate Credit Trading may commence.

It is proposed that trading in Phosphate Credits will commence in August 2022 and will increase as further Wetlands arrive on stream. Credits will be allocated on the agreed first come first served policy. 

Cabinet Commission on Restoring the Wye

In January 2022 the Council voted unanimously for a Water Protection Zone. Unfortunately this call was rejected by Minister Pow, Secretary of State, DEFRA, because she believed further evidence is necessary and because of the additional burdens it would place on business in the catchment.

Herefordshire Council has taken a lead role in efforts to support the restoration of the Wye, developing the UKs first development Phosphate Calculator, delivering Integrated Wetlands and an Agricultural Supplementary Planning Policy which is about to be published for consultation. The Council has been a driver for supporting improvement around the Nutrient Management Board and has invested in a significant national influencing role to progress river restoration.

Failure to deliver a Water Protection Zone means that there is a need to consider what more can be done.  A Cabinet Commission is therefore proposed to undertake a more strategic and systems led review of river quality and in particular to consider how Herefordshire Council can use all the powers and influence available to it to progress the restoration of the Wye and Lugg.

As well as gathering the evidence the Minister will need for a Water Protection Zone, the Commission will not simply be another talking shop; it will move swiftly to consult and deliver on concrete plans and proposals to make a long term difference on the Wye and Lugg.

More information is available in the meeting agenda.