Frequently Asked Questions

The Nutrient Mitigation Fund (NMF) is a financial initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of nutrient mitigation solutions, particularly in areas affected by nutrient neutrality regulations. These regulations require developers to ensure that new developments don't contribute to increased nutrient pollution in protected habitats, which has caused a significant number of stalled housing projects whilst they wait for mitigation solutions to come forward. The fund provides grants and loans to support projects that reduce or offset nutrient inputs into waterways, like the Broads and Wensum catchments, enabling housing developments to proceed. 

For landowners, businesses, and environmental groups to apply for nutrient mitigation investments, the designated area for nutrient mitigation must be within the catchment areas, as detailed in this map.

The focus is on solutions that will provide nutrient mitigation for many homes, if you are a single homeowner with a septic tank for example then there may be a local project you can join.

The project will have been discussed and ideally accepted by statutory agencies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency and discussed with your local planning authority before an application is made. 

You’ll need to complete an online application to the Norfolk Nutrient Mitigation Fund through this website. Your application will require scientific studies or evidence to demonstrate how your scheme operates and its effectiveness in mitigating nitrogen and phosphorus.

You may also wish to seek legal advice regarding any potential contracts you might enter into as part of your proposal. The more information you provide - such as quotes, detailed plans, and supporting evidence - the smoother and faster the decision-making process will be.

For further details, please visit the How to Apply.

There are various organisations across Norfolk that can provide support. However, the fund cannot recommend specific providers.

Evidence to support your application can often be obtained from:

• Technical Experts and Advisors 
• Local contacts
• Your Local Planning Authority

Once submitted, your application will be triaged and screened to ensure:

• It falls within the relevant catchment area
• It will generate phosphorus and/or nitrogen credits
• It passes financial, legal, and scientific checks
• There are no significant concerns

If any issues or questions arise during this stage, we’ll contact you directly.

Following this, a cost/benefit assessment may be developed, and we’ll advise you on the next steps. The final stage involves reviewing the suitability for awarding a grant or loan.

• Successful feasibility grant applications typically take 4 to 6 weeks from application to payment.
• Successful capital loan applications typically take 8 to 12 weeks from application to payment.

The credits are yours to manage as you see fit. You can:

• Hold onto them for future use
• Use them yourself
• Sell them to others, such as property developers
• Trade them through a third party