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Whiteparish wetland
This scheme supplies nitrogen credits to developments that drain to the River Test and the Solent catchment. We own the land freehold and the mitigation is secured in perpetuity.
Exact location shared on enquiry.
- Mitigation
- Nitrogen credits
- Catchment
- River Test and the Solent
- Developments supplied
- Available on enquiry
- Protection
- In perpetuity
About the scheme
South of Newton Lane at Whiteparish, against the New Forest National Park, in a shallow valley crossed by headwaters that flow to the River Test. The land was an intensively grazed equestrian holding, with the village wastewater treatment works beside it discharging to the stream.
We have built a reedbed wetland low in the valley, with landscaped bunds, open water and species-rich wetland edge. Treated effluent from the works is diverted through it before it reaches the stream, removing nitrogen, microplastics and other chemicals that would otherwise reach Southampton Water and the Solent. The nitrogen removed is sold as credits to developments in the same catchment.
Managed under a long-term management and monitoring plan, with nutrient removal measured and the results reported to Natural England and the authority. The meadow next door is our Whiteparish habitat bank.
How the mitigation works
- Reedbed wetland
- Built low in the valley, with landscaped bunds and open water, to treat effluent before it reaches the stream.
- Species-rich wetland edge
- Margins planted for invertebrates and birds; reed bunting and sedge warbler are expected.
- Treatment works diversion
- Treated effluent from the village works is diverted through the wetland rather than straight into the stream.
Catchment
Nutrient credits can only offset development in the same catchment. The shaded area is the Natural England nutrient neutrality catchment for the Solent; other nutrient neutrality catchments are in lighter green. The dot shows the general location of the scheme.
Which developments it can serve
Credits only offset development that drains to the same protected site, so this scheme serves developments in the River Test and the Solent catchment. Send us the site location and a nutrient budget, or we will calculate one, and we’ll confirm the same day.
Who stands behind the obligation
- The land
- We own the land freehold, with no lease and no third-party landowner.
- The covenant
- A conservation covenant or planning obligation protecting each site in perpetuity, registered against the title.
- Responsible Body
- An independent Responsible Body or the local authority can step in if we ever fail to deliver.
- The endowment
- Long-term management is funded by an endowment set aside at allocation.
- Financial strength
- We have £56.5m of capital for land and habitat, and are rated Very Low Risk with an international credit score of A. That capital lets us buy land and create habitat before your programme needs it, and fund its management for the long term.
Check availability at Whiteparish wetland
Send us the site location and a nutrient budget, and we’ll send back a quote.