Introduction
Somerset Council has launched a ‘call for sites’ which will run for 8 weeks from 20 May 2024. The deadline for submissions is 15 July 2024.
The ‘call for sites’ seeks submissions of land for the potential delivery of phosphate mitigation schemes (with nutrient mitigation funding available to assist delivery, subject to eligibility criteria) and/or Biodiversity Net Gain schemes, to support the delivery of new development in Somerset.
This responds to commitments the Council has made in its Interim Delivery Strategy for the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund and in the Somerset Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note to run a ‘call for sites’ to identify, assess, prioritise and enable suitable off-site solutions in Somerset.
The ‘call for sites’ aims to understand the level of interest from landowners, land promoters and land managers, with sites put forward to be assessed through a transparent process and criteria. Prioritised sites will then go on to enter negotiations to legally secure the promoted land for these purposes with the Council.
Once legally secured (and, in the case of Biodiversity Net Gain proposals, registered on the national biodiversity gain sites register), sites can then sell phosphate credits and biodiversity units generated to developers for their use in meeting requirements on new development sites.
By legally securing the right phosphate mitigation and Biodiversity Net Gain sites in the right places, the Council is able to support the delivery of new development in Somerset, deliver for nature recovery, and maximise wider benefits to Somerset.
Submit a site
Before submitting your site, please review our comprehensive submission guidance. This explains more about the ‘call for sites’ process, our transparent assessment criteria and what we are looking for in submissions and why. The guidance is set out in a question-and-answer style to make it easy to navigate. The guidance also includes a full list of the questions that you will be asked in the survey, to help you prepare your submission.
Use this button to access the ‘call to sites’ survey portal and submit a site.
Please be aware, that while the ‘call for sites’ is open to submissions for 8 weeks (until 15 July 2024), a first batch of sites submitted before 17 June 2024 will progress to assessment before the ‘call for sites’ closes. Further information on the timeline, the tranches of assessment, criteria and prioritisation can be found in the above submission guidance.
Online briefing session
On Friday 24 May 2024 we held an online briefing session to provide further information about the ‘call for sites’ and answer questions. A recording of the session can be found below alongside the presentation slides.
Environmental Call for Sites – Public briefing session recording
Environmental Call for Sites
Funding opportunity
In addition to being legally secured, phosphate mitigation schemes submitted to the ‘call for sites’ may also qualify for capital funding through the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. In appropriate circumstances, the Council will consider using funding to bulk-buy generated P-Credits. This funding is not available for Biodiversity net gain schemes. More details are available in the submission guidance above.
Background
Many developments are legally required to demonstrate ‘nutrient neutrality’ and a Biodiversity Net Gain. In both cases, an important option to achieve these requirements is through the purchase of ‘off-site’ nutrient (phosphate) credits (P-Credits) or biodiversity units as necessary. These off-site solutions need to be legally secured, and the Council plays an important role in this. Visit Phosphates and Biodiversity Net Gain web pages or read through the submission guidance above to find out more about these issues.
Once legally secured (and, in the case of Biodiversity Net Gain proposals, registered on the national biodiversity gain sites register), sites can then sell phosphate credits and biodiversity units generated to developers for their use in meeting requirements on new development sites.
Phosphate mitigation schemes may also be eligible for capital funding via the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. In appropriate circumstances, the Council will consider using LNMF funding to bulk-buy generated P-Credits. Note, this funding is not available for Biodiversity Net Gain schemes.