Water neutrality ensures that any new development does not increase the overall water consumption within a region. This is crucial in maintaining sustainable water levels and supporting ecological balance in water-stressed areas.

In response to guidelines from Natural England and requirements from local authorities, water neutrality is mandatory to protect sensitive environmental areas and ensure sustainable development practices that do not strain local water resources.

Water credits are generated by implementing water-saving measures in existing properties. These credits quantify the amount of water saved, which can then be used to offset the increased water demand created by new developments, ensuring overall water usage does not rise.

Developers can purchase water credits through SWN, which brokers the sale of these credits from properties that have successfully implemented water-saving technologies. Contact us directly to discuss your specific needs and the availability of credits.

Property owners who participate in the water credit scheme can generate additional revenue by selling the water credits they earn through water-saving upgrades. This not only provides a financial incentive but also contributes to regional water sustainability efforts. Additionally, participating property owners will benefit from reduced water bills thanks to the efficiency improvements. Importantly, the installation of water-saving technologies required for generating credits will be carried out at no cost to the property owners, making it an economically attractive option.

Eligible water-saving measures include the installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling, and upgraded irrigation systems, among others. Each measure must provide verifiable water savings to qualify.

SWN offers comprehensive services including assessment of potential for water credit generation, installation of water-saving technologies, legal and regulatory compliance, negotiation with local authorities, and facilitation of water credit transactions.

Our team of industry-leading professionals, including environmental scientists and water management experts, conducts detailed assessments to determine the baseline water usage of a property and calculate the potential water credits that can be generated.

Water credits typically need to be applied within the same water-stressed region or as specified by local regulations to ensure that the benefits of water savings directly offset the impacts of development within that area.

Property owners can choose to discontinue participating in future credit generation but must maintain any installed water-saving measures as per the terms of any existing agreements to ensure ongoing water savings.

A Section 106 Agreement, under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, is a legal document between a landowner and the local planning authority. It binds the landowner to specific planning obligations which are necessary to make a development proposal acceptable in terms of its environmental, social, and economic impacts.

The agreement stipulates that any new development must incorporate water-saving measures to ensure that the total water consumption in the area does not increase as a result of the development. This may involve the implementation of water-efficient technologies or the development of offsetting sites where water consumption is reduced to balance the impact of the new development.

Landowners are required to:

• Implement and maintain water-saving measures as specified in the agreement.
• Pay any associated monitoring fees to the local council to ensure compliance is regularly checked.
• Provide proof to the council that the required water neutrality measures have been fully implemented and are operational before the development can be occupied.

Yes, a Section 106 Agreement can be modified or discharged by agreement between the landowner and the local authority. This typically requires demonstrating that the modifications or discharge will not adversely affect the achievement of the original planning obligations.

Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions taken by the local authority, including legal proceedings. The local authority has the power to ensure compliance through the courts, which can impose fines or mandate specific actions to rectify the breach.

In some agreements, the implementation of water-saving measures can generate water credits, which can be sold or allocated to other developments to meet water neutrality requirements. This system allows for flexibility in managing water resources across multiple sites within a region.

SWN assists clients from the planning stage through to the implementation of water neutrality measures. This includes negotiating with local authorities, managing legal documentation, calculating potential water savings, and overseeing the installation of water-efficient technologies.

Yes, developers can benefit financially by enhancing the sustainability of their projects, potentially increasing property value and marketability. Additionally, by complying with regulatory requirements efficiently, developers can avoid potential delays and additional costs associated with non-compliance.