Biodiversity

Two of the most pressing global issues are the need to find reliable sources of clean energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and the growing urgency to protect wildlife and ecosystems. This raises the question of whether both aims are achievable. Indeed, with the spread of wind and solar farms, along with other forms of renewables, comes the need for land and for developments which may adversely impact the biodiversity of the area. However, while doubts have been raised that clean energy development and biodiversity protection can co-exist, there are emerging solutions that can allow both to flourish.

Introduction
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements will come into force in November this year and will require developers to deliver a BNG of at least 10% on new developments.
The government published its response to the BNG regulation and implementation consultation in late February.
The consultation covered three main areas:
- The scope of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA) requirement and proposed exemptions, development within statutory designed sites and irreplicable habitats
- Applying BNG to different types of development such as phased development, small sites and NSIPs
- How mandatory BNG will work for TCPA development

As the population of the world increases, and biodiversity is challenged by new developments, farmland habitat is perhaps one of the most important environments for the future stability of our ecosystem.

Many businesses have been working to accommodate the many changes to rules and regulations before the Environment Act comes fully into effect in 2023. New regulations outlined by schemes such as biodiversity net gain, for example, have several advantages for business owners who own land. However, business owners need to be prepared for the oncoming changes.

An application for the development of 50 homes near Haslemere, Surrey, has been approved, with the help of the Engain team.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is reminding landowners and developers that mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules are set to be enforced in November.
The Government will provide further legislation and guidance in due course, as will the West of England Combined Authority.

A large infrastructure project required the support and opinion of Engain, alongside a team of internationally renowned experts, to contribute to an Environmental and Social Assessment in West Africa.

Engain and the Land Rover at large this week conducting ecological and environmental site surveys - whilst keeping a safe distance.....

Congratulations to our consultant Jonny, who is now fully BRE qualified as a CEEQUAL assessor.

Following extensive work on a complex site in rural Wiltshire, we're delighted that planning permission has now been awarded to progress with development of Holt Tannery - a mixed scheme housed on a particularly technical site.

We are delighted to have partnered with Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design and CampbellReith consulting engineers for a Joint Venture (JV) contract awarded by Homes England for the 2018-2023 Multi-disciplinary Framework.

Our heritage specialists have been supporting a number of developers and estate owners - providing consultancy and robust ecological data, to protect assets, ensure a balance in project benefits and enrich applications planned for the new year.

Since joining us as a graduate, Jonny has played an important role in some major European infrastructure projects. And we thought it time to shine a light on his work.

Congratulations to Emily Wood from our ecology team, who has won the 2017 Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) photo competition.

During the season of bat monitoring, our team is also devoting time to help conservation groups - with some rewarding results