31 Aug 2021

Government have made a number of changes to the Environment Bill prompted by collaborative campaign by the Wildlife groups. Defra:  Landmark Environment Bill strengthened to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 New strengthened Government commitments to protect the environment for future generations made today in landmark Environment Bill amendments. The Government has strengthened its commitment to […]

31 Aug 2021

Defra plastic waste https://www.gov.uk/government/news/next-steps-to-tackle-plastic-waste Next steps to tackle plastic waste Government to consult on banning a range of polluting plastics this Autumn, with single-use plastic plates, cutlery and polystyrene cups under review The war on plastic waste is set to be ramped up with fresh plans to stop the supply of a range of single-use […]

25 Aug 2021

There are a number of new documents on the Defra website relating to water and habitats – ponds, lakes, ditches etc., which seem to have been released to support the sustainable farming initiative. Create ponds and lakes Find out how land managers can create new clean freshwater ponds and lakes to benefit wildlife and improve […]

17 Aug 2021

This review identified key areas of the planning process related to flood risk management and sets out actions the government will take to strengthen its approach. The government’s Planning for the Future policy paper announced a review of policy for building in areas at flood risk. In July 2020 the government published its Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk […]

05 Aug 2021

More than 1,000 flood schemes to benefit from record investment Defra ‘Over £860m to be invested in flood alleviation schemes this year with further action including improvements to flood insurance. Thousands more homes and businesses are to be better protected from flooding and coastal erosion, as part of plans published today by the Government outlining […]

13 Jul 2021

JNCC ‘The UK government has committed to identify and designate pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters by the end of 2022. Defra, JNCC, Natural England, Cefas, the Marine Management Organisation and the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities will work together, with stakeholders, to identify potential pilot sites.  To understand the […]

13 Jul 2021

This is very depressing reading, and comes on last weeks news that Government are trying to water down protection for endangered species. All of this taking place against the passage of the Environment Bill through Parliament. EAC ‘The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) urges the Government to conserve and restore UK biodiversity and ecosystems amid grave […]

28 Jun 2021

The Coastal Concordat for England Setting out how regulatory bodies can co-ordinate the separate processes for coastal development consents in England. The coastal concordat sets out the separate processes for consenting coastal developments in England. This revised version replaces the original published on 11 November 2013. It supports decision-making between Local Authorities and those regulators […]