Nutrient Neutrality for Ecologists - A focus on phosphates

Summary

Using phosphate nutrient neutrality in Herefordshire as an example this event will explore the impact of phosphate on watercourses. We will run through the assessment tools available, the information required to support a planning application, how phosphate impacts might be mitigated either on site, off site or more strategically and the pitfalls within the nutrient neutrality process. While we will focus on residential development we will also consider nutrient neutrality for agricultural and employment developments.

Description

Fran Lancaster was a local government ecologist for fifteen years across the West Midlands, most recently leading the Natural Environment Team at Herefordshire Council. Fran led the team carrying out Habitats Regulations Assessments for nutrient neutrality both on applications and on the strategic program of integrated constructed wetlands which provide phosphate mitigation in the county.

Liz Duberley is the Strategic Nutrient Mitigation Lead at Herefordshire Council. Liz has led the program to develop and build the county’s integrated constructed wetlands as well as developing the first nutrient budget calculator with Ricardo. The program has won a number of awards for innovation and best practice including the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) award for Environmental Services and the 2024 West Midlands Planning Excellence Award from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Knowledge Level

Suitable for all

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