News
Update on the Environment Bill
The Environment Bill received the second reading in the House of Commons on 28th October 2019. The revised Bill was introduced to parliament two weeks ago. Criticisms included the absence of provisions for non-regression from existing environmental protection,...
Post Brexit Environment Protection
Natural England have confirmed in a letter on the 18th October 2019 to the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) that whether we leave the EU with or without a deal the government will continue to uphold international obligations. ...
Greater Horseshoe Bat returns to Kent for the first time in over 100 years
Bakerwell Limited are thrilled to share that we recently recorded the rare greater horseshoe bat on the East Kent coast! (Photo: Dale Sutton/Bat Conservation Trust) Read The Guardian article here. Read the Bat Conservation Trust article here. In June 2019, we recorded...
Bats and Artificial Lighting
We recently attended the Bats and Artificial Lighting Symposium 2019 which was developed by the Bat Conservation Trust with the Institute of Lighting Professionals, and co-sponsored by Arup and Kingfisher Lighting. The event bought together experts to share their...
New Charges for Wildlife Mitigation Licences to Come into Effect this Spring
New charges for wildlife mitigation licences will be phased in this year, starting on 1 April with dormouse licences, bat licences on 22 April, and other species licences following later in 2019. The new licensing system will be operated by the Natural England...
New Research on Japanese Knotweed
Recent research by AECOM and the University of Leeds provides sound evidence that Japanese knotweed is no more damaging to buildings than other problem plants. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) President Max...
New guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain from CIEEM
CIEEM, CIRIA and IEMA have jointly published new guidance on biodiversity net gain. Following the publication of Biodiversity Net Gain good practice principles for development in 2016 (available here) the following documents have now also been...
An Update on the Kent GCN District Licensing Scheme
Bakerwell have met with Natural England to discuss the revised district licensing scheme for great crested newts (GCN) in Kent.
Have Your Say – Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation
Government Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain The proposals under consultation until February 2019 seek to provide a single nationwide ecological assessment system for scoring the biodiversity of a prospective development site and setting requirements...
Biodiversity in Planning Tool Wildlife Assessment Check
A new tool developed by The Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning is now available free online, aimed at householders and small to medium-scale developers, the tool is useful for all looking to gain planning permission and wondering if an Ecological Survey will be...