Planning Reform

Measures to unblock much-needed infrastructure projects whilst supporting nature recovery at scale will be included in proposals for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill this year, the Government announced on 22 January as part its Plan for Change.

As set out in the Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery, the proposals are expected to be supportive of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) planning obligation in England.

BNG incentivises nature positive choices on development sites, with a developing private marketplace for off-site biodiversity units which the government continues to fully support. This means that where a developer engages with the Nature Restoration Fund to address a specific environmental impact, the biodiversity gain requirement will continue to apply.

Planning proposals to unblock vital infrastructure and drive nature’s recovery

Turn of the year

I was out and about on the various sites in the unseasonably warm weather at the end of the year. We’ve seen a very positive response in an enhanced meadow in Cumbria

cumbria

this is a prospective woodland enhancement basking in the sun before the weekend

woodland

and then the weekend

snow

it’s all gone now - so at least the local Barn Owl can hunt more easily - and I’m looking forward to seeing all the sites again as Spring arrives.

Bluesky decision

A little bit of housekeeping this one.

I’ve decided that I can’t cover all social media - and I know I’ve been slack on this front- so in light of the current mess out there, I’m going to concentrate on Bluesky (and LinkedIn if that counts as social/business media).

I have a personal view of this as well, of course 😉

ELMs cuts?

Following the Guardian report on a possible £100m cut in ELM funding and the Government's rapid review of the forthcoming Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to help it meet the Environment Act targets, I can only surmise this is going to increase the role of business in nature recovery.

Nutrient Credits

To note: The next application round for Natural England nutrients is planned for: 9 October 2024 to 5 November 2024 (round 7).

The cost of a credit in the Tees catchment area for round 6 is £2,700.

The last round had them at £1,825.