AN impasse over pollution fears that has seen planning applications for thousands of homes across Somerset put on hold is closer to being unlocked.

Councils are closer to minimising delay and uncertainty around applications that could contribute to unacceptable amounts of phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.

They have received a report detailing potential solutions that could enable developments to proceed, although action is needed at national level to address the issue.

Natural England advised planning authorities in August 2020 of the requirement for a Habitats Regulations Assessment on individual projects before determining planning applications that may lead to additional phosphates.

The requirement to demonstrate proposed developments will be phosphate neutral has prevented the determination of a significant number of applications countywide.

Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip, Sedgemoor and South Somerset district councils and Somerset County Council have been working to address the issue using funding from Homes England.

They published a phosphates calculator in February 2021 providing affected applicants with information to calculate the phosphate load arising from their development. A number of the calculator’s data sets will be updated.

Following further work with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Somerset Internal Drainage Board Consortium, revisions have been made showing a reduced area where the Natural England advice applies.

The councils will study the report, commissioned from consultants Royal Haskoning, which helps identify measures required to unlock current and future developments impacted by the phosphates issue.

A Somerset-wide Nutrient Strategy will be developed focusing on strategic solutions for the river catchment areas feeding into the Levels and Moors, with short-term solutions to help clear the current planning backlog and longer-term solutions to address existing and future growth commitments.

Somerset's councils want the Government to address water quality issues impacting sites such as the Levels and Moors and to help unlock housing development.

Cllr Mike Rigby, SWT executive member for planning and transport, said: “It is clear from this technical report, with the quantum of housing development impacted by the phosphate situation in Somerset, that nature-based solutions alone are not going to unlock all of our housing needs.

“The land requirement in an area that depends on agriculture is not realistic and will do nothing to address the key polluters.

“SWT has committed £2million to progress a package of interim measures to help unlock a small element of the housing held up by this issue, but government needs to resolve this national water quality issue with a co-ordinated approach.

“This issue is exacerbating the housing crisis. Further investment in our waste water treatment works and more effective monitoring of agricultural practices to prevent nutrient pollution entering our water courses, is critical."