Farmers and developers in Shepton Mallet and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to participate in the latest round of the Somerset Catchment Market, an innovative project by EnTrade that combines environmental conservation with housing development.

The market focuses on the Parrett catchment, which includes areas near Shepton Mallet, and provides developers with an opportunity to purchase phosphorus credits. These credits are essential for meeting nutrient neutrality requirements, allowing planning permissions for housing developments to move forward. The funds generated are used to create nature-based solutions, such as wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands.

In 2023, the Somerset Catchment Market secured over £1 million in funding for environmental projects in the Parrett catchment. These projects have had far-reaching benefits, from reducing flood risks and improving biodiversity to creating new job opportunities and long-term revenue for local farmers.

The initiative has been widely praised for its ability to balance the need for housing with the protection of Somerset's natural environment. Local developers have found the platform invaluable, with many using it to unlock planning permission for key projects.

"The process of registering and bidding on the EnTrade platform was very simple," said Austin Squibbs, Director of Abbey Manor Group Ltd. "It enabled us to achieve planning permission and start construction on one site as well as assisting to unlock a larger 100-dwelling scheme."

Farmers and landowners are also being encouraged to get involved by offering land for nature-based projects, which can provide a steady income stream while contributing to environmental recovery.

The deadline for registration is 16 December, with bidding set to open in the new year. Interested parties can learn more at somersetcatchmentmarket.uk.