UP to 4,000 new homes could be built in Herefordshire as mitigation measures to tackle phosphate in the river Lugg have been successful.

Herefordshire Council's nutrients mitigation strategy in the Lugg catchment has been said to "unlock up to 4,000 new houses" after Natural England raised concerns about phosphate in the river, placing previous plans to build new homes in jeopardy until a solution could be found.

The Luston Wetland was developed to capture and remove phosphate, creating credits that could be used for new homes. The wetland is now complete, and has already secured credits for 1,112 new homes.

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Herefordshire Council now has plans for another wetland in Tarrington, which would increase the number of credits again.

The council hopes that more homes will now be built in the Lugg area over the next decade.

The council has also said that it expects water companies and agriculture to meet their obligations to reduce pollution.

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Herefordshire Council cabinet member Elissa Swinglehurst said: "It is fantastic to see the work achieved on nutrient neutrality in the county, and agree an approach for the future that will deliver a minimum of 3,471 new homes in the Lugg catchment area, to close the gap on housing needs identified within our local plan.

"Of course, we still expect water companies and agriculture to address their own levels of pollution.

"Together with our partner organisations, we share a strong commitment to improving our environmental sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality."