Effective Arboricultural Impact Assessments for Planning Approval (Step-by-Step)

Mastering the Arboricultural Impact Assessment: What Architects and Planners Must Know Decoding the Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA): Purpose, Scope, and Legal Weight Planning applications live and die by the details. Overlook a critical requirement, and your project could stall for months. One overlooked requirement? The Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA). An AIA is not just another …

Clear Tree Survey Requirements for Planning Applications (Explained)

How to Identify the Right Tree Survey for Your Planning Application Understanding the Different Types of Tree Surveys (And When You Need Each One) Tree surveys aren’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your development project, you may need a different type of report to satisfy planning authorities. Get this wrong, and you could face delays, rejections, or …

Comprehensive Tree Surveys for Planning: What You Need to Know

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 …

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill — Now We Know: CIEEM Response Confirms Our Deepest Concerns

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 Planning and Infrastructure Bill: A New Era for Ecology… or the End of Site-Specific Surveys?

📢 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 …

Essential Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments for Planning Success (Expert Guidance)

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 …

Navigating Local Authority Biodiversity Requirements for Planning Approval (Insider Tips)

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 …

Comprehensive Ecology Surveys for Planning (Expert Guidance)

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 …

How to Work with Ecologists for a Smooth Planning Process (Expert Advice)

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 …

Great Crested Newt Surveys for Planning Projects (Stay Compliant)

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 …