We're developing a programme to reduce the impact of development in the River Camel area. This is the homepage for our long-term mitigation strategy. It contains information on:
- developing the strategy
- the mitigation measures we are planning
- the potential credit scheme
Visit the Nutrient neutrality in Cornwall page for all our phosphate pollution information.
Background
Phosphate pollution is affecting the River Camel. Natural England feels the habitat of the river is ‘unfavourable’ in some areas. Wastewater from new developments can make things worse. We can only approve developments that are 'nutrient neutral' in those areas.
The issue is complex, and we need help to address it, but we are not alone. We are learning from other local planning authorities with similar challenges.
Mitigation measures can help prevent further phosphate pollution. These can be on the site of a development or elsewhere in the river catchment area. Not all developers can offer on-site measures or negotiate off-site ones without help. Natural England requires mitigation to be upstream of the impact of pollution from a development.
We have been developing a long-term strategy with the right mix of measures. This will help developers with the mitigation they need to unlock paused developments. The aim is to give developers confidence to continue investing in the area. It will help the council progress with its key home-building plans. It will also provide other social, economic, and environmental benefits for North Cornwall.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is contributing £2 million. Cornwall Council is supplementing this with funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). South West Water has funded complementary work with the Westcountry Rivers Trust.
Our mitigation strategy
We have developed our programme in light of legislation, policy, and evidence. It reflects South West Water’s timetable for upgrading its wastewater treatment works.
We released a report on possible mitigation measures in 2022. Our programme has been evolving since then. We have also worked with Natural England to update our phosphate calculator for any changes to the requirement. We made the most recent changes in December 2025.
The calculator identifies the impact of planning applications on phosphate pollution. It outlines the level of mitigation required for a period of 80 years. The phosphate calculator is on our Nutrient neutrality and planning applications page
We continue to consult national and local partners and stakeholders, including:
- Natural England, the Environment Agency, and South West Water
- Westcountry Rivers Trust, National Farmers Union, developers, agents, consultants and landowners
Our mitigation strategy includes upgrading household and campsite septic tanks/package treatment plants.
The strategy will create a phosphate credit scheme. Legislation requires water companies to upgrade their wastewater treatment works by 2030. There will be a need for temporary credits in some areas until then. The strategy will create phosphates credits for the Council to allocate.
Planning applicants can buy credits to mitigate the phosphate pollution caused by development. This will unblock applications so they can progress. We will reinvest money from credit sales in the programme.
Maintaining the momentum with mitigation
Septic tanks are inefficient at removing phosphates compared with modern treatment plants. Replacing and maintaining them can reduce pollution in the catchment. There is much interest in our plan to replace old septic tanks at homes and campsites with newer systems. This involves grants for property owners to replace their septic tanks. There will be conditions for long-term maintenance. We are working on ways to remove obstacles in the planning system to help.
This scheme will create permanent credits to mitigate development.
Developing the credit scheme
We have also been making progress with developing the scheme that enables us to sell credits. This involves:
- securing mitigation measures in legal terms
- agreeing the measures with Natural England
- a process for managing the credits
Latest news
We are reviewing our programme to make sure our approach is still sustainable. Analysis shows that our septic tank scheme can meet future demand for mitigation.
We continue learning from other local authorities who have introduced similar programmes. We are also looking at where partnerships can help with long-term viability.
The programme should enable development in our current local plan targets. We will prioritise affordable housing, small developers, and community business led schemes.
The revised National Planning Policy Framework will affect future housing mitigation. We will provide updates as we learn more.
We understand everyone is keen for news about the Council's credit scheme. As soon as we are confident our plan meets everyone's needs, we will confirm how and when credits will be available.
We will update our online content when anything changes.
If you have questions for the project team, please email positiveplanning@cornwall.gov.uk in the first instance.