Sustainability & water credits
We actively promote sustainable water management and provide water credit solutions for developers facing water neutrality challenges.
Walking the walk
Our rural premises in West Sussex are carbon neutral. We've achieved this through the installation of solar panels, a wind turbine and a ground source heat pump system providing all the heating and hot water for our offices.
We've also installed a water borehole at our site to help reduce our impact on the mains water supply. As a company, we promote ground source heat pumps and water source heat pumps as some of the most efficient carbon-saving solutions available.
This commitment to sustainability isn't just about our own premises — it informs the advice we give our clients and the solutions we recommend.
Carbon
Neutral
Our premises
Solar
On-site generation
GSHP
Office heating & hot water
Borehole
On-site water supply
Water credits
For sites facing time-sensitive planning pressures — such as appeal deadlines — our water neutrality credits scheme provides an off-the-shelf solution to get planning applications moving quickly.
Offsetting using water credits requires no onsite measures and no ongoing obligations on either the developer or the house purchaser. Within a couple of days, a planning application held up by water neutrality could be moving again.
Fast
Credits available now — allocation within days, not months
No onsite works
Offsetting measures installed on third-party land, not your site
No obligations
No ongoing commitments for the developer or house purchaser
Proven
Successfully used to secure planning approval in the SNWRZ
How it works
Water credits are generated by installing water-saving measures on existing third-party sites — replacing mains water connections with borehole supplies or rainwater harvesting systems. The resulting mains water saving is certified and transferred as a credit to offset the water demand from new development.
Landowners and businesses joining the scheme benefit from reduced water bills, a capital payment and improved sustainability. Developers benefit from rapid planning approval without onsite infrastructure requirements.
Water neutrality in the SNWRZ
The Sussex North Water Resource Zone presents unique challenges for developers. Natural England requires that new developments demonstrate water neutrality — meaning no net increase in water demand from the public supply.
Nicholls has over 17 years' experience installing water boreholes and rainwater harvesting systems across the South East. We're currently working with 35+ developers in the SNWRZ, supporting projects from small developments of 6 homes to large-scale sites with thousands of homes.
Our fully managed, three-tier approach is tailored to suit the dynamics of each site and the urgency of securing planning approval.
Tier 1 — On-site borehole supply
For larger sites where geology is suitable. Cost-effective long-term solution with Nicholls acting as bulk water supplier with billing and customer service.
Tier 2 — Rainwater harvesting
On-site rainwater collection systems to offset mains water demand. Can be combined with borehole supply for maximum offset.
Tier 3 — Water credits
Off-site offsetting for urgent projects. Higher per-unit cost but delivers certainty and speed when planning deadlines are critical.
Water credits available in these planning authority areas
Need water credits or sustainability advice?
Contact us to discuss your development and planning requirements.