Eligible areas

The Solent Catchment Market has been designed to reduce the amount of Nitrogen and Phosphorus flowing to protected areas in the Solent. 

An Eligible Area is an area of the Test and Itchen catchment where Nature-based Projects will reduce the nutrients flowing into the protected sites before a new development is occupied (adding to the nutrient load).

An Eligible Area Map has been developed of areas where current data and modelling shows that reducing the nutrient load can reduce the flows of nutrients into the protected site within a 1 to 2 year timeframe. 

In the mapped Eligible Area of the catchment, farmers and other landholders who express an interest in delivering nature-based projects to mitigate nutrient pollution, will not need to provide separate project-specific hydrogeological modelling.

Projects proposed in mapped Eligible Areas will be able to participate in the market, subject to confirmation of key site characteristics.

Projects in other areas of the catchment may also be eligible if hydrogeological evidence is provided that demonstrates that they will reduce the nutrients flowing into the protected sites before a development is occupied.

If you are located outside an area shown on the map and have the necessary hydrogeological evidence required then please contact the Solent Catchment Market team for further information.