Wiltshire Council has been allocated almost £10m in funding as part of a government nutrient mitigation scheme.

The scheme aims to reduce the environmental impact of new developments in the Hampshire Avon river catchment.

The council has been awarded £9.8m for capital projects to help restore the river, as well as a further £100,000 to help with resources.

The funds will be used to install mitigating projects that reduce or eliminate pollution from nutrients that can harm wildlife and cause habitat damage.

According to the council, this scheme is part of a portfolio of projects that contribute to sustainable developments, including wetlands, woodland buffers, upgrading septic tanks and domestic sewerage systems, and water efficiency savings.

Councillor Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This funding is much welcomed and should help ensure growth in a timely way, while protecting our environment.

“Wiltshire is a beautiful county with some vitally important chalk river habitats, and we must do everything we can to sustain while also recognising the need that we have nationally set house-building targets we need to meet.

“This funding will allow us to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support houses being built without posing an environmental threat to our freshwater habitats."