What is Nutrient Neutrality?
Nutrient Neutrality requires that new developments must not increase the load of nutrients entering the local watercourses.
The increase can be mitigated on or off-site. If you’re a developer you can ensure neutrality by reducing the load of nutrients from other sources. This can involve upgrading infrastructure, building nature-based solutions to filter water, or financing the closure of harmful activities.
Wild Capital develops and finances NN projects and sells these credits to developers. Some catchments have limited opportunities to generate credits, and credit pricing is extremely high. Unlike BNG, there are no NN statutory credits. If developers cannot secure NN offset credits, they are often unable to secure planning consent. Many developments which have managed to get past the planning consent stage without NN offset credits are also caught by this requirement and are unable to build or occupy their developments.
The NN landscape
Effects 74 LPAs across England
Mandatory for all residential developments
0% increase of nutrients entering watercourses
Schemes must be maintained and protected for at least 80 years
On-site or off-site mitigation
Product features
When you buy an NN credit from Wild Capital, you can expect:
To discharge liability
NN’s 80-year management and monitoring liability is absolved to Wild Capital. The developer can walk away.
Verified units
All schemes are verified by Natural England and secured through a legal agreement with the local planning authority.
Supply in most catchments
We have a pipeline of projects in most NN catchments including Phosphorus catchments.
Free media assets
Clients are provided with free commercial media to document the impact their NN credits have.
Insured projects
All of our projects are insured. If the mitigation fails, it is reinstated to ensure ongoing nutrient neutrality.
Purchasing options
We have developed three purchasing options, to support clients with a variety of needs
Off-the-Shelf Credits
An area of land that is restored to create a bank of offset units that can then be allocated and sold. We have a growing strategic network of habitat banks with offsets ready for immediate use from river units to lowland meadows. Our habitat banks are flexible, allowing developers to specify the offsets they want.
Build-to-Order
Bespoke schemes that deliver multiple habitat types, including high-distinctiveness habitats, specifically delivered for individual developments or pipelines. Developers have access to the specific number and type of offsets they need quickly and at competitive prices within the location where they need them.
Option Contracts
Provides the right, but not the obligation, to buy BNG units in the future (within a fixed time), at terms agreed today, securing price and availability. Reducing upfront offset costs and providing long-term risk mitigation for developers through an uncertain planning process.
Compare our NN
purchase solutions
Features |
Habitat Bank |
Build-to-order |
Option Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|
|
High integrity credits independently verified |
|
|
|
|
Intensive ongoing monitoring & maintenance |
|
|
|
|
Credits created |
Phosphorus & nitrogen |
Phosphorus & nitrogen |
Phosphorus & nitrogen |
|
Delivery period |
Immediate |
6+ months |
12+ months |
|
Location |
Solent Teesmouth & CC |
All catchments |
Solent Teesmouth & CC Avon |
|
Commitment at order |
Reservation fee (10%) |
Source fee (5%) + reservation fee once secured (15%) |
Option premium (≤4%) depending catchment |
|
Assignable |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Price secured for |
Up to 12 months |
Up to 12 months |
Up to 5 years |
Buying process
You can buy NN credits from us in three ways. The suitability varies depending on the timeframe, the types of credits required, and the order value.
Build-to-order and option contracts have a lead time, are most suitable for less common habitat types, and have a minimum order value.
NN Unit Finance
We can supply units within a few weeks or over several years and work closely with developers and lenders to make NN offsetting viable. Based on your specific needs, we’ll find the most cost-effective way to supply them.
Typically, developers pay a reservation fee to secure an order and a settlement fee when we deliver the units. However, we can offer payment terms (subject to the client’s financial position) to spread costs further along the development process.
Where next?
Biodiversity Net Gain units
BNG is mandatory legislation that requires development to calculate its impact on nature and compensate with a minimum 10% net gain. Find out more about our BNG offset units, available to buy today.
About us
Wild Capital combines financing and ecological delivery to enhance the regeneration of UK biodiversity, at scale. With expertise in environmental restoration, large-scale development, planning, and finance, we aim to be the leading environmental offset provider.
Quick answers to questions you may have
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Contact us here:
info@wild-capital.co.uk
Who must consider NN?
Nutrient Neutrality affects 74 Local Planning authorities where the watercourses are considered sub-optimum. Within these Local Planning Authorities, all new residential, or accommodation of any type, developments must calculate their nutrient load increase for nitrogen and phosphorus and compensate either onsite or through offsite credits.
How much does an NN credit cost?
Like BNG, the cost of NN credits is driven by the market as a commodity, however, there are no statutory credits available. Therefore, developers must either mitigate the increased load onsite or purchase private offsets from companies such as Wild Capital.