Introduction

Somerset Council is launching an environmental ‘call for sites’ in May 2024. The ‘call for sites’ will seek submissions of land promoted for the delivery of phosphate mitigation schemes (with nutrient mitigation funding available to assist delivery, subject to eligibility criteria) and/or Biodiversity Net Gain. This responds to commitments the Council has made in its Interim Delivery Strategy for the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund and in the Somerset Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note to run a ‘call for sites’ to identify, assess, prioritise and enable suitable off-site solutions in Somerset.

We are aiming to understand the level of interest from landowners and to then assess and prioritise sites based on a transparent process and criteria. Prioritised sites will then go on to enter negotiations to legally secure the promoted land for these purposes with the Council.

Once legally secured (and, in the case of Biodiversity Net Gain proposals, registered on the national biodiversity gain sites register), sites can then sell phosphate credits and biodiversity units generated to developers for their use in meeting requirements on new development sites.

By legally securing the right phosphate mitigation and Biodiversity Net Gain sites in the right places, the Council is able to support the delivery of new development in Somerset, deliver for nature recovery, and maximise wider benefits to Somerset.

Further information will be made available on this webpage in May 2024.