England is on the verge of swapping a simple, proven rule for protecting nature, the mitigation hierarchy or in plain English, to avoid harm first, reduce what you can’t avoid, and compensate only as a last resort. Swapping this proven system for a pay-and-proceed model wrapped in Environmental Delivery Plans and new levies. We are …
The Architect’s Guide to Planning Application Tree Reports Why Tree Surveys Matter: Unlocking Planning Success Without Delays You’ve got a project lined up. The design is solid. The client is on board. Planning approval should be a breeze, right? Then comes the curveball—tree surveys. Local planning authorities won’t approve your project without one if trees …
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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing thoughts on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and what it could mean for ecology professionals, developers, and the planning system. We highlighted the emerging risks: environmental delivery plans (EDPs) replacing site-level assessments, financial contributions (the Nature Restoration Levy) allowing developers to bypass species protection, and Natural England …
📢 The UK’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill (published today March 11th) introduces a radical shift in environmental regulation, one that could fundamentally change how ecological consultants like us operate. I have spent most of the afternoon reading, re-reading, looking at responses online AND questioning Chat GPT (as it is smarter than me and I …
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is no longer a box-ticking exercise, it’s a fundamental requirement for securing planning approval and delivering sustainable developments. Architects and planning consultants must navigate evolving regulations, ecological assessments, and compliance strategies to ensure projects meet the necessary standards. This content hub is your go-to resource for mastering BNG, from understanding the …
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Unlocking Local Biodiversity Policies: What Architects and Planners Must Know The Key Biodiversity Regulations That Could Make or Break Your Planning Application Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a legal requirement. If you’re submitting a planning application in England, you need to prove that your development will leave biodiversity in a measurably better …
Successful planning applications depend on understanding and mitigating ecological risks. From protected species to habitat assessments, the right ecology surveys can prevent costly delays, ensure compliance, and support sustainable development. This hub brings together expert insights on essential ecology surveys, helping architects and planning consultants navigate environmental requirements with confidence. I have written a whole …
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Finding the Right Ecologist: What Architects and Planning Consultants Must Know Key Qualifications and Experience to Look for in an Ecological Consultant Choosing the right ecologist can mean the difference between an efficient planning process and months of costly delays. You need a consultant who not only understands ecology surveys but also knows how to …
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How to Determine If Your Site Needs a Great Crested Newt Survey (Avoid Costly Mistakes) The Legal Triggers: When a Great Crested Newt Survey Becomes Mandatory Great Crested Newts (GCNs) are a European protected species. That means disturbing them, damaging their habitat, or even handling them without a licence can land you in serious legal …
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Why Protected Species Surveys Matter for Planning Success How Protected Species Laws Can Make or Break Your Planning Application Protected species laws aren’t just another bureaucratic hoop to jump through. They can determine whether your planning application sails through or crashes before it even gets started. In the UK, laws protecting wildlife are strict. The …
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