Decision details

Highlighting the recent award of funds from the DLUHC Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund for delivery of nutrient mitigation across the Poole Harbour catchment to enable development and the arrangements for spending the fund.

(a)    That spending from the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund be delegated to the:

(i)    Environment/Policy/Partnership Manager – individual expenditure decisions not exceeding £50,000.

(ii)  Head of Planning – individual expenditure decisions over £50,000 but not exceeding £100,000

(iii) Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Corporate Director for Economic Growth and Infrastructure individual expenditure over £100,000 but not exceeding £1.5m.

(b)    That regular (at least 6 monthly) reports be prepared for the Portfolio Holder to outline the spend to date and the number of homes enabled through the delivery of nutrient mitigation.

(c)    Cabinet agreed to commit to the spend the Local Mitigation Fund on the delivery of nutrient mitigation with the indicative programme of spend as detailed in Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

(d)    That the emerging outline strategy for the management of nutrient mitigation credits be acknowledged including transitional arrangements as set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report of 12 March 2024.

Reason for the decision

Grant funding had been provided through the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for the delivery of nutrient mitigation within the Poole Harbour catchment. Mitigation would need to be provided for qualifying development (primarily residential) in the parts of the catchment that fall within both the Dorset Council area and the BCP Council area, but Dorset Council were accountable for any financial transactions.