Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in England
- Maps of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
- Methodology used to identify NVZs
- Appeals process against the designation of land as an NVZ
From 1 January 2009, the areas covered by Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) were increased to approximately 70% of England. This includes the 55 per cent originally designated in 2002.
Maps of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
A summary map of NVZs in England are available as an A4 size pdf. More detailed, field-boundary maps are available via the MAGIC website – it is recommended that you read the guidance on using the MAGIC website first.
- Summary map of NVZs in England (PDF, 320 KB)
- Interactive maps of NVZs on MAGIC website
- Guidance using the MAGIC website (PDF 20 KB)
Methodology used to identify NVZs
The methodology used to identify NVZs in England builds upon the designation criteria established in the Nitrates Directive. It was developed by the Environment Agency, and the development was advised by a Defra Steering Group external to the Environment Agency which included Government officials, industry stakeholders and academic experts. It has been peer reviewed by independent academics who are leaders in the field of surface and groundwater management. The methodology was then applied by the Environment Agency, in close consultation with Defra, to identify NVZs in England.
Appeals against the designation of land as an NVZ
The Regulations provide for appeals to be made against the Secretary of State’s decision to designate certain areas of England as NVZs. The function of determining appeals is delegated to an independent Appeals Panel that will make its decision based on the evidence submitted. Appeals can only be made by the owner or occupier of the land in question and can be made if there is evidence to demonstrate that:
- the land does not drain into water identified as nitrate-polluted, and/or
- the water to which the land drains should not have been identified as polluted.
Practical guidance on the appeals process, the grounds of appeal, the types of evidence that should be provided in support of an appeal, and a form for submitting an appeal is available.
The closing date for submitting an appeal was 31 January 2009. The appeals process is now closed to new applications.
Important note - the independent appeals panel has taken the decision to accept supporting evidence to an appeal (for example monitoring data or a hydrogeological report) provided it is submitted by 10th March 2009 and that an appeals application form NVZ – AA1 was completed in all other particulars and submitted by 31st January 2009.
Page published: 18 February 2009