Guidance
Nitrate vulnerable zone designations and appeals 2025 to 2028
Find out if your land is in a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) and how to appeal.
Applies to England
Check if your land is in an NVZ
Use the interactive map to find out if your land is in an NVZ.
Your farm may be completely or partly in an NVZ. NVZ boundaries are drawn around whole fields, so there are no fields that are only partly in an NVZ.
Restrictions apply to each field that’s in an NVZ.
Email the Environment Agency at enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk if you have difficulty checking online or need a printed map.
How to appeal
You will receive a letter from Defra, if your land is within an NVZ. You can appeal against the decision within 28 days of the date on the letter.
You have grounds to appeal if your land (or part of it):
- does not drain into water that has been identified as polluted
- drains into water that should not be identified as polluted