Nitrates crisis: Fareham sets out mitigation measures for new homes

The council is one of a group of local authorities grappling with Natural England advice on nitrates that has led to the planning system grinding to a halt in south Hampshire. 

The nature regulator was concerned that extra sewage from new developments would harm the integrity of EU protected areas on the south coast by increasing nitrate levels and heightening the risk of harmful algae blooms. It issued new legal advice following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice last year known as the ‘Dutch case’.