Natural England's Nutrient Mitigation Scheme for developers
Step 3: Agree to buy your credits
If your application is successful, you will receive an unsigned certificate by email and an invoice for 10% of the total cost of the credits.
You have 36 weeks from being sent this certificate to get planning permission.
If you do not obtain planning permission in these timescales, your credits may be reallocated to someone else. You may request an extension in writing, outlining the circumstances for the delay.
You must check that the information on your certificate is correct, including:
- how many credits you have been allocated
- details of the development
- the total cost of credits for mitigation
- the scheme's terms and conditions
If the information is not correct, you must let Natural England know by email at nutrientmitigation@naturalengland.org.uk.
If the information is correct and you agree to join the scheme, you must:
- Sign your certificate and email it to Natural England at nutrientmitigation@naturalengland.org.uk.
- Pay the balance of the invoice for 10% of your credits.
Once Natural England receives your payment, they will countersign your certificate and send you a copy.
This is your provisional certificate. You can use this within your planning application.
If your application is unsuccessful
Natural England will let you know by email if your application is unsuccessful.
Applications can be unsuccessful for several reasons, including:
- your development is not inside a catchment area that Natural England can provide credits for
- your application form has incorrect or missing information
- Natural England did not have enough credits left to allocate during the current application round
- you did not pay the invoice
If your application has been unsuccessful, you can reapply when Natural England opens the next application round.