News
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...
An Introduction to Natural Capital
The Defra 25 year environment plan sets out the intention to set gold standards in protecting and growing natural capital and to be a worldwide leader in using this approach as a tool in decision making. This is intended to feed into the Government’s objective of...
Networking Breakfast at CIH
Building Sussex Connections held a joint networking breakfast in early March at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) event in Brighton. The event was very successful with over 100 attendees from Kent and Sussex. The Bloody Marys and Gin & Tonics went down...
The Countryside at a Crossroads
House of Lords Select Committee’s report 'The countryside at a crossroads: Is the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 still fit for purpose?' House of Lords Select Committee’s report 'The countryside at a crossroads: Is the Natural Environment and Rural...
Revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) changes are coming. The NPPF was originally launched in 2012 and guides development across England. The government are proposing some significant changes, we discuss the key points from the revised draft below. The Framework...
Where Have All The Hedgehogs Gone?
You may remember a familiar sight or sound as a hedgehog snuffles across the road or garden. But when was the last time you heard one? Hedgehogs are now a Biodiversity Action Plan species BAP (2007) and appear in Local Plan policy document as a species targeted for...
BREEAM Changes Coming Soon
Following consultation last year, changes to the BREEAM assessment process are expected to be announced early this year. Early information suggests that the changes will include an additional (third) stage of assessment – Verification, a 12 month monitoring and review...
A Green Future: 25yr Plan. Does it Deliver anything new for our Wildlife?
The government released their plan to improve the environment on the 12th of January ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’. The 150 page document sets out a 25 year plan covering, air, water, terrestrial and marine wildlife,...
(How to) Build Housing in a Nature Friendly Way
New guidance recently released by the Wildlife Trusts has set out a blueprint for building nature friendly homes, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of this for developers, residents and wildlife. The guide highlights the importance of retaining and...