A scheme whereby developers would buy credits for new homes in river catchment areas affected by phosphate pollution is being explored in Carmarthenshire. The idea is that wetlands and other nature-based ways of mitigating phosphates - present in sewage and agricultural run-off and damaging to rivers - would be created.
Those wetlands would then generate credits to be sold to developers as a means of mitigating the phosphate impact of new properties in river catchment areas designated as special areas of conservation (SAC). The phosphate problem has halted or delayed development in several river catchment areas in Wales since the beginning of 2021.
A Carmarthenshire Council committee was told that a feasibility study has been commissioned to look into the credit trading idea where environmentally and economically feasible. There are 79 planning applications for 138 new homes in SAC river catchment areas in Carmarthenshire which are being held up due to phosphate and other issues.
