WORRIES that new planning guidance to reduce phosphate pollution in rivers will impact on housebuilding in Monmouthshire have been voiced – but it is hoped a solution can be found.

In January, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued new guidance to control phosphate levels in the River Usk and River Wye catchment areas.

Planning applications submitted within these catchment areas must demonstrate they will not worsen phosphate pollution.

An annual monitoring report of Monmouthshire council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) says the change in guidance has had an impact on the amount of new homes approved.

The report says the announcement has “implications for the ongoing delivery of development in the county”, due to the catchment areas covering a large proportion of Monmouthshire.

“While the new measures have had a limited impact on permission levels during this monitoring period due to the January introduction date, concerns are raised with regards to the continued impact on permission levels during the next monitoring period,” the report says.

At an economy and development select committee meeting on Thursday, Monmouth councillor Richard Roden said he was “very concerned” about the water quality of the River Wye.

Cllr Roden questioned how ‘realistic’ the council’s projected housing targets are in light of the issue.

“I see the challenge we face is significant to deliver the properties indicated, particularly in light of the phosphate issue,” he said.

Craig O’Connor, the council’s head of planning, said the council is working with partners, including NRW and Welsh Government, to find a solution to the issue.

But he said it presents a ‘significant’ challenge which is not “going to be solved overnight”.

“I think it’s a massive challenge, it’s huge, but it’s something we are working hard on with other local authorities and we will keep moving forward,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said he is ‘confident’ future targets for homes being delivered in the LDP can be met.

Six of the council’s seven strategic sites for housing have received planning permission, and these will be unaffected by the phosphate issue.

The monitoring report shows 419 homes were delivered in the past year, including 71 affordable homes.

But only 86 new homes were permitted during the monitoring period, which is significantly lower than in previous years.

This was mainly put down to the majority of allocated sites already having planning permission, though the change to control phosphate levels also had an impact.

The monitoring report also shows that the council is 1,500 homes short of its overall completion target set in the LDP, which runs from 2011 to this year.