Natural England in collaboration with the Environment Agency have reviewed all the Nutrient Neutrality catchments and have notified the Council of the changes to the River Eden Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Nutrient Neutrality catchment boundary.
On 5 February 2026, we received a letter from Natural England setting out a greatly reduced sensitive catchment area for the River Eden SAC in the Cumberland Council Local Planning Area (LPA).
Advice letter from Natural England
River Eden letter to LPAs regarding boundary changes (PDF, 428.95KB)
Areas affected
The areas affected are shown on the relevant catchment maps for each SAC supplied by Natural England. A map of the new River Eden Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Nutrient Neutrality catchment boundary is included with the letter.
Evidence pack
At the earliest opportunity, Natural England will:
Publish supporting evidence on Natural England’s Access to Evidence portal.
Ensure the new digital boundaries will be made available via the Defra Data Services Platform and MAGIC maps.
Nutrient calculator
At the earliest opportunity, Natural England will:
Publish updated nutrient calculators on Gov.UK
Using the nutrient neutrality calculators - guidance on GOV.UK website
Implications for planning applications
Whilst we carefully assess the consequences of the new guidance, it cannot lawfully conclude that relevant development within the remaining identified catchments of these Special Areas of Conservation will not have an adverse effect. Therefore, until these matters are resolved we will not be able to grant planning permission for current schemes under consideration or for new proposals within the remaining affected catchments.
Types of development affected
This includes:
- all types of overnight accommodation including new homes, self-catering and serviced tourist accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self-catering holiday units, static caravan sites, campsites served by on-site toilet or washing facilities
- new tourism development likely to increase the number of day visitors to premises
The requirement to demonstrate nutrient neutrality applies to all types of planning application relating to these types of development, including reserved matters, prior approval and certificates of lawful development for a proposed use or development.
Access to evidence on the Natural England website
- Nutrient Neutrality and Mitigation: A summary guide and frequently asked questions (NE776)
- Nutrient Neutrality Principles (TIN186)
- Nutrient Neutrality Generic Methodology (NECR459)
Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership
www.cumbrianutrientneutrality.co.uk
This partnership site has:
- planning and validation guidance for developers
- resources for property and landowners, including non-mains drainage upgrades and mitigation opportunities
- updates on partnership projects and future credit trading