Nutrient Management in Planning and Development

In this section

Planning and Development in Nutrient Sensitive Catchments

In January 2021, following the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Common Standard of Monitoring Guidance, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) introduced in their Compliance Report of Welsh River Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) documenting revised nutrient targets for SAC rivers in Wales. These tighter limits aim to reduce pollution and protect sensitive freshwater ecosystems, particularly in light of climate change, which is reducing summer river flows and concentrating pollutants.

Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended), local planning authorities must ensure new developments do not contribute to further nutrient enrichment in failing SAC catchments.
Over 60% of waterbodies in Wales now fail these targets. In Carmarthenshire:

  • Failing SACs: Afon Teifi, Afonydd Cleddau, River Wye, River Usk
  • Passing (limited headroom) SAC: Afon Tywi

Any new development that increases wastewater discharge in failing catchments must demonstrate nutrient neutrality or betterment. This may limit capacity to connect to the public sewerage system. Developers are advised to engage early and make use of the All Wales Nutrient Budget Calculator.

What Action Have We Taken?

Carmarthenshire County Council has taken the following steps to lead on strategic nutrient management:

Governance and Planning

  • Established Nutrient Management Boards (NMBs) for the Teifi, Tywi and Cleddau catchments
  • Produced live Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs) to identify pollution sources, model required nutrient reductions, and guide investment
  • Published a Nutrient Neutrality Strategy and updated Strategic Action Plan
  • Created and signed a Statement of Common Ground to work jointly across Local Authority boundaries and with NRW, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and other stakeholders 

Developer Support

  • Created the West Wales Nutrient Budget Calculator, adapted from Carmarthenshire’s original tool which is now superseded by the All Wales Calculator
  • Published calculator guidance, technical review, and catchment specific mitigation guidelines

Community and Land Based Solutions

  • Supporting tenant farmers and landowners with guidance, cheat sheets, and funding advice to implement mitigation
  • Facilitating on farm soil and water quality monitoring to help improve efficiency, soil health, and nutrient retention
  • Working with citizen scientists across Teifi, Tywi, and Cleddau catchments providing equipment, training, and support
  • We are proud to have contributed to the early development of the Teifi Nutrient Monitoring Project, which is led and delivered by Ceredigion County Council. We continue to support the project as this model is expanded to the Tywi and Cleddau catchments, with public dashboards in development.

Collaboration and Events

  • Co-chairing the Nutrient Management Boards Technical Advisory Groups in agriculture, monitoring, and citizen science
  • Participated in four national Phosphate Solutions Summits (2022–2024)
  • Attending the Pembrokeshire County Show, Tywi River Festival, and Royal Welsh Show