Development of novel rural development policy for the control of phosphorus inputs to sensitive waterbodies

An assessment of a novel rural development policy for the control of phosphorus inputs to Loch Leven, Scotland, was conducted. The study highlighted discrepancies in the methods used by planning departments to estimate pollutant load to the environment and to provide advice on mitigating this load, as part of meeting the objectives of the policy. The findings of the study highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a relatively new piece of environmental policy and proposes some remedial measures to improve its efficacy. As the policy is being adopted in other council across Scotland, and is being considered for use in other planning departments more widely across the UK, these findings are considered high impact. CEH have provided guidance to a planning department in Nairn and Inverness who have adopted this policy. The planning departments have incorporated the policy into local procedures for a SSSI site. This should lead to improved management and forecasting of the effects of rural development in areas sensitive to phosphrous pollution.