Scheme approved to unlock up to 5,000 stalled homes across Ashford and Canterbury

Approval has been granted for a major new environmental scheme in the Stour catchment that is set to unlock up to 5,000 new homes across Ashford, Canterbury and 
nearby towns by tackling the nutrient pollution and nutrient neutrality constraints that have held 
development back since 2019.

The Stodmarsh Stream Enhancement Scheme, delivered by Greenshank Environmental in 
partnership with Dace Environmental, is one of the UK’s largest nature-based nutrient neutrality 
and nutrient mitigation projects. At a scale not previously delivered in the area, the scheme 
provides the level of mitigation needed to move a significant number of stalled housing sites 
forward.

The issue has left major housing sites across Ashford and Canterbury unable to progress, 
despite planning permission being in place.

Spread across five sites and more than 2.5 kilometres of small watercourses, the scheme uses 
natural interventions to reduce the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the River Stour 
before it reaches the protected Stodmarsh wetlands.

Nutrient neutrality rules mean new housing developments must not add to existing pollution in 
the river. To meet this requirement, developers can purchase nutrient neutrality credits generated 
by schemes like this one, which offset the impact of wastewater from building new homes.

The Stodmarsh Stream Enhancement Scheme will restore heavily managed agricultural ditches 
into more natural streams that slow the flow of water and allow nutrients to be filtered out. This 
reduces pollution in the catchment while generating the credits needed to support new 
development. The scheme requires only narrow strips alongside existing ditches, allowing 
surrounding farmland to remain in production. It will also support local wildlife and help manage 
both drought and heavy rain by holding more water in the landscape.

The work is secured for more than 80 years to ensure long-term environmental benefit and 
certainty for local planning authorities and developers.

The first phase of the scheme has now received approval and is projected to unlock between 
3,000 and 5,000 homes across Ashford, Canterbury and the wider River Stour catchment. A 
second phase is expected to support a further 3,000 homes, bringing the total potential to up to 
8,000 homes over the two phases.

Oliver Davis of Dace Environmental, developer of the scheme in partnership with Greenshank, 
said:

“Since 2019 we’ve had sites across this area that simply couldn’t move forward because of the 
nutrient issue, despite a clear need for new homes. We had planning permission in place that we 
couldn’t build out, and we knew many other developers in the same position. 

“What started as trying to find a solution for our own sites has grown into a much wider 
partnership with Greenshank. They were clearly the right team to work with, and together we’ve 
been able to bring forward a scheme that doesn’t just solve our problem, but helps unlock 
development across the whole catchment.

“By committing land to deliver nutrient mitigation, we’re helping unlock housing that’s been stuck 
for nearly five years, while continuing to farm the land alongside it. It’s a practical solution that 
works for the land, for the environment and for local communities."

Greenshank Environmental’s Stodmarsh scheme is expected to become a national flagship for 
nature-based solutions, offering a model that other regions can follow as they face similar 
pressures. Its scale, long-term legal security and use of natural processes place it at the forefront 
of how the UK is beginning to link environmental recovery with sustainable growth.

Kim Connor-Streich, Chief Commercial Officer at nutrient neutrality and habitat restoration 
specialists Greenshank Environmental, said:  

“This is a huge moment for the Stour catchment. Local authorities and communities have been 
stuck in an impossible position for years — waiting for homes they couldn’t approve because of 
the nutrient issue. This scheme finally breaks that deadlock. It protects Stodmarsh’s unique 
habitats and gives Ashford and Canterbury a clear route to deliver the homes people urgently 
need.

“What’s significant here is the scale. This is the first time this type of drainage ditch solution has 
been delivered at a strategic level in the catchment, creating enough mitigation to unlock 
thousands of homes. It will make a real difference to both people and the environment.  

“Stodmarsh is leading the way, creating a best-practice model that can be replicated not just 
across Kent, but in other parts of the country facing the same challenge.” 

An Ashford Borough Council spokesperson has said: 

“This has not been a simple or straight forward exercise for anyone but is a great example of where collaborative working between the public and private sectors has helped to deliver a scheme that not only helps to deliver environmental benefits in a natural way but helps to enable badly needed new residential development to come forward.

"Dace Environmental and Greenshank have worked hard to identify a solution that achieves nutrient benefits for the Stour that can be readily implemented and we look forward to the first of the ditch enhancements taking place on the ground.”

Developers, landowners and residents can learn more at 
www.greenshank-environmental.com/schemes/stodmarsh-nutrient-mitigation