Company Updates

When planning a new development of any size, one of the first considerations should be the impact your project will have on the local environment. Construction work may destroy some elements of the local ecosystem and disturb others, which can have a huge knock-on effect for local and even national wildlife, as well as causing environmental damage. To try and counteract that, and to improve and protect the planet, the government has a set of rules around biodiversity in development projects – with the latest addition being a biodiversity net gain credit system.

Animals play a vital role in our ecosystems, making life on Earth possible for humans. Safeguarding species is crucial for our health and the future of the planet, yet so many are under threat, with habitat loss and overexploitation threatening biodiversity

After what feels like years of waiting, the new Environment Bill has finally received Royal Assent, making it the Environment Act 2021.

We are delighted to have opened the doors to our new office in Bristol, which provides the perfect environment to further grow the business.

Climate change is the single biggest threat to humanity. With a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stating that the climate crisis is “widespread, rapid and intensifying”, no region on Earth will escape the changes that are taking place across whole climate systems.

We are delighted to welcome Ross Upton who has joined the Engain team as a Placement Ecologist. Ross is currently studying BSc Biology at the University of Bristol and will be a part of the team until the end of September 2021.

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.

The Engain team has expanded once again with the recruitment of new Senior Ecologist, Sam Rogers.

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?