It is a statutory requirement for local authorities to consider the ecological impact of developments, but often potential developers may be unaware of potential ecological implications of a development until after a planning application has been submitted. This can lead to costly delays for developers or householders, greater impacts on wildlife populations, and a reduction in biodiversity.
Orchards East are looking for voluntary orchard surveyors to help with parish and district surveys of historc orchard sites across Essex! For more information contact the Orchards East project manager Howard Jones on 07854 701363, or email Howard.Jones@uea.ac.uk.
The Government has published a revised version of its National Planning Policy Framework, the document that guides thousands of planning decisions every year. This is the first revision of the National Planning Policy Framework since 2012, and is a vital tool for Local Authorities. Local Wildlife Sites were omitted from the previous version of the National Planning Policy Framework, published in April, but following a campaign by The Wildlife Trusts they have been included in the revised document issued this month.