What are phosphate credits?

Phosphate credits, often referred to as P-Credits, are a type of off-site environmental mitigation that developers can purchase to make their developments nutrient neutral where the relevant planning policy applies. Each P-Credit represents a measurable reduction in phosphorus loading achieved elsewhere in the same river catchment – for example, by upgrading a failing septic tank to a sewage treatment plant capable of removing phosphate to a much higher standard. By purchasing credits equivalent to their development’s phosphorus impact, developers can demonstrate phosphate neutrality to their LPA.