June 10, 2011
The Government's new White Paper – The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature – advocates economic growth and localism, putting the value of nature at the heart of decision-making.
The protection and improvement of the natural environment will remain a core objective of planning, and the Paper proposes additional tools to achieve this. In welcome recognition that “development is needed”, a system of biodiversity offsetting is promoted, allowing for off-site habitat enhancements to compensate for biodiversity losses.
Separately, new green space designations will be rolled out that will influence planning decisions. Government will be trialling “Nature Improvement Areas” aimed at restoring and connecting nature on a significant scale. Locally, and to be consulted on later this year, communities will be able to designate valued green spaces within their neighbourhood plans, which would then be afforded strong protection … but these should not undermine investment in homes, jobs and services.
For more information on changes in planning, see our new Planning News Update
NLP Contact: Maggie Baddeley: mbaddeley@nlpplanning.com / 020 7837 4477