Housebuilding in and around the Somerset Levels and Moors may be delayed after a landmark court case on water pollution.

The Somerset Levels and Moors are protected by both the Habitat Regulations Act 2017 and the Ramsar Convention, an international law which recognises and protects areas of wetlands for future generations.

Following a recent court case (known as Dutch N), Somerset's local authorities have been urged to carry out tests to protect the area from further pollution.

Following the court case, Natural England wrote to Somerset's four district councils, raising concerns over the high levels of phosphates detected on the Levels and Moors.

The four councils have been urged to undertake a habitat regulations assessment (HRA) before making a decision on any planning applications which may lead to an increase in phosphates.

This means the four councils are unable to make immediate decisions on significant applications – including developments involving large numbers of homes, commercial units, and agricultural facilities such as barns and anaerobic digesters.

Mendip District Council has confirmed it is taking steps, but could not confirm how many homes would be delayed or affected.

Councillor Garfield Kennedy, portfolio holder for the Local Plan and policy, said: "We are committed to sustainable development and the new advice received from Natural England is of great concern.

"We know this will have significant impacts in the near future on developments in our area.

"The quality of the natural environment in the Somerset Levels and Moors must be of paramount importance if we are to deliver the commitments we made in February 2019 to tackle the climate emergency in our district.

"We must do everything within our power to protect those sites of national and international importance – for all our futures."