Company Updates

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.

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.

The Engain team are delighted to welcome our new Principal Ecologist and Ecology Team Leader, Lizy Tinsley.

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.

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.

The Environment Bill was introduced to Parliament in October 2019 to ensure that the environmental impacts of all legislation is considered before the UK exits the EU.

Changes to planning – reduction of red tape or danger to the environment?

The phrase ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ has been appearing a lot recently due to the government’s proposed Environment Bill.

The future of rail travel is on track.

The brand new Agriculture Bill has become law and could transform agriculture and help the environment in the UK.

In the short-term, Brexit will have very little impact on UK planning laws, as much of planning is decided at a domestic level. However, leaving the EU is likely to lead to some changes on this front.

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

Engain is excited to be working again on one of the South West's most iconic projects, the re-development of Drake's Island.

Engain continue to engage with clients during the lock-down to enable continuity and planning for development sites.

As we near the grip of winter, it feels almost impossible to be looking back on yet another year - another which has packed in plenty of many new and continuing projects, both in the UK and the Mediterranean.