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As one of the main focuses of the Government’s proposed Environmental Bill, ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ is becoming a key topic of conversation in the development industry.

Most development work requires some form of borrowing to get it off the ground, usually in the form of private investment. But did you know that showcasing your commitment to biodiversity goes a long way when trying to attract private finance?

An Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) will help you to ensure work on your development is done according to all the rules and regulations by working with your contractors. They can make sure work is carried out efficiently and reduce the likelihood of work being held up.

The ecological report, also known as an ecological appraisal, forms a central part of your planning application. The impact your development will have on biodiversity will be scrutinised by the planning authority, as it is part of their statutory duty when considering if plans can be approved.

With their distinctive black and white markings, badgers are one of the most recognised creatures in the UK, and are usually found in woodland and open countryside. In England and Wales, they’re protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, and a separate Protection of Badgers Act in Scotland, making it illegal to kill, harm or disturb badgers, including the destruction or blockage of their setts.

If you need planning permission, you may need a bird survey if there’s a chance your development will affect a protected species. In the UK, all wild birds are protected by law, including their eggs and nests, so a reliable survey on which to base reports and any mitigations is critical.

It’s the season for reptile and dormouse surveys
Any development work carries a risk of disturbing a protected species. If you think there may be dormice or reptiles on the land you are planning to work on, there are extra steps you need to take to protect the habitat.

Trees are often, quite rightly, referred to as the ‘lungs of the Earth’ but trees and their wider habitats are critical to our lives in so many more ways. The UN has designated 21st March International Day of the Forests to recognise just how important they are.

From providing raw materials for building and manufacture, to providing a home for plants and creatures that are the source of life-saving medicines, we all rely on forests to sustain our way of life.

When you think of native British creatures, you might think of hedgehogs, red squirrels, or even deer. However, the Great Crested Newt – while perhaps not as cute – is vitally important and a protected species.

Bats are a protected species across the UK and Europe, so if you’re planning to do any work that might disturb them, their breeding sites or resting places, you need to be sure how many bats there are and of what species before doing anything.

If you’re planning any work, you will need to commission a bat survey – as whether it’s stated outright in your planning consent or not, it’s a legal requirement to make sure your project won’t affect any bats.

It’s the duty of every planning authority to consider whether it’s likely that your proposals will have an impact on bats, and they need detailed and robust evidence about how bats use your site, and what measures you will be taking to mitigate any impact on them.

From a young age, we’re taught that some animals go to sleep for the winter and wake up again in the spring – but do you know why? The answer might be more surprising than you think.

While it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean everything has stopped. In fact, in ecological terms, winter is a busy time of year! The activities that happen over the winter can set the tone for the rest of the annual cycle.

Land reclamation means creating land either by removing water from muddy areas or raising the level of the land. With an increasing demand for land, it can be a good solution for creating areas for building, agriculture and other uses, but there are lots of things to think about before going ahead.

The fact that birds migrate to warmer climates over the winter is something we’re all taught when we’re young, but it’s not that straightforward. Different species migrate at different times, to different places, using different routes – and our actions could be threatening this annual ritual.

Rewilding is a popular topic right now, and is a way to help restore ecosystems which have been damaged by human activity.

The idea is to introduce just enough biodiversity back into an area to allow the plant and wildlife to start to look after itself and restore the original balance of the habitat.

The benefits of rewilding include the protection and increase of endangered species, more green space to tackle climate change and the benefits to human health and wellbeing.