New Forest District Council calls for projects to boost biodiversity and water quality
New Forest District Council (NFDC) is calling for proposals of projects within the district that will enhance local biodiversity and improve water quality in the river Avon, the Solent and Southampton Water. Landowners, and other interested people and groups, are asked to put forward expressions of interest by 5 January 2021 to be considered for funding.
The Council is looking for proposals for projects in the New Forest District area that will protect or improve the local biodiversity of plants and wildlife. In areas where water drains into the river Avon, Solent or Southampton Water, proposals are sought that reduce the phosphates and nitrates that are harming the water quality within these protected habitats.
Projects could include changing the current use of the land to reduce its impact on water quality in areas draining into the Avon or the Solent, using planting to absorb excess nutrients and create new wildlife habitats or projects that focus on conserving or restoring particular habitats.
Cllr Edward Heron, portfolio holder for planning and infrastructure explains “We would like local landowners and groups to put forward ideas for projects to help enhance and benefit local wildlife and habitats, and help improve water quality.
“We’re taking action to make sure that the development we need in the district doesn’t harm our important habitats and wildlife, and instead leaves our natural environment in a better condition than it was before.”
He adds, “It is right that those who are investing in new development and building in the area also invest in protecting and improving our natural environment, whether that is on their own development site or elsewhere in the district. We hope to see many projects put forward for funding that can be a real asset to our community as well as to wildlife.”
Most major new development in the council’s planning area is required to deliver a minimum 10% enhancement of a site’s biodiversity following development*. Where it is not possible to make all these improvements within the development site itself, projects in other areas of the district will be considered.
New development is impacting water quality in the River Avon catchment area and in the Solent and Southampton Water. The potential for new development to increase harmful nutrients in these protected habitats has stalled development within the district and southern Hampshire. The Council is keen to find local projects which will help reduce the levels of nutrients flowing into the Avon, Solent and Southampton Water. Significant sources of both phosphates and nitrates are from agriculture and sewerage treatment works. The Council is inviting landowners and land managers to put forward projects that could reduce these nutrients in the water environment.
Full details including how to put forward ideas for sites or project proposals for consideration is on the Council’s website at https://newforest.gov.uk/article/1779. The closing date for expressions of interest is 5 January 2021.