Both the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and Biodiversity Net Gain have been in the headlines again this month.
The Guardian has published an article claiming that up to 5,000 nature sites across the country are at risk from Labour’s growth plans. The Government have been quick to respond, stating that the reports are inaccurate and that the Bill will maintain the existing legal and policy protections. There is emphasis on the current rules of the NPPF in protecting irreplaceable habitats (including ancient woodland and ancient/veteran trees), and that this is not being changed.
A review of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is underway, to determine if the regulations can be eased for development proposals on smaller sites (up to 9 homes). There is also a proposal to determine whether planning officers will be given power to approve smaller development schemes, rather than councillors.
We expect there will continue to be ongoing discussion and updates on both of these and will continue to provide news in this Newsletter.
On a lighter note, Steve and Flis took the opportunity to visit a local Tiny Forest in Witney. The project is supported by Earthwatch Europe, which the Tree Frontiers team helped raise funds for in last year’s Oxford Half Marathon. It was a great opportunity to see the scheme in practice and let the kids help with ongoing research by completing a bug hunt.
