Greenbelt Delivers Biodiversity For Housebuilders And Planners Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are undoubtedly two of the greatest challenges of our time. However, the demand for greatly increased housing supply in the UK has created a balancing act for developers and planners. To deliver sustainable development, full consideration has to be afforded to, among other potential casualties, our natural capital with protection and enhancement of biodiversity being key. To turn the tide on decades of habitat and species decline, it is essential biodiversity be taken account of at the earliest stages of planning. Past societal pressures have often meant it has been one step forward and two steps back when it has come to environmental protection but it’s fair to say we have entered a new era. Permanent protection of biodiversity must form part of that consideration to ward against the “good” being eroded away slowly and steadily by the likes of urban creep, insensitive disturbance and poor landscape management. Greenbelt are fully focused on placing biodiversity at the heart of our long-term stewardship of public open space (POS). It’s also an important element in our long-term aftercare for customers across the UK, they expect us to tend and enhance the local landscapes that developers convey to us. Of course, with the requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) being greatly reinforced in England by way of the Environment Act and amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act there is increasing emphasis on ensuring a full appreciation of biodiversity is built into new development. The devolved nations are also committed to biodiversity but they will introduce their own mechanisms for securing BNG. At Greenbelt we already manage distinct features within our POS that help boost biodiversity – from different types of shrubs and trees to woodlands, wildflower meadows, species-rich grassland and food-rich hedgerows. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), when comprised of swales, basins, ponds or other open features, represent an important element in our POS. When managed properly they provide a range of habitats as well as delivering their other functions relating to water quality, water quantity and amenity. Greenbelt has been managing SuDS for over twenty years and continues to do so in partnership with the University of Abertay’s Urban Water Technology Centre. Other work with habitats and species, that simply comes with managing POS, includes; working with local communities to build wildlife refuges, such as bird boxes, bat boxes and hibernacula, and; managing designated and protected habitats on a number of our developments such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ancient woodlands and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Gordon Millar, Greenbelt’s Sustainability & Biodiversity Manager notes: “The prospect of planners and housebuilders having their part to play in boosting biodiversity is now tangible. Owing in-part to our experience and expertise, but notably on account of our PENTAD land management model, managing to a high standard for the long-term comes not only second nature but is secured. BNG for Greenbelt is simply an extension of our management services.” The land management world is changing and Greenbelt’s PENTAD model provides a sustainable, future-proofed management solution that delivers for all stakeholders. Managing POS is only going to become more complex, especially within the context of BNG and the stewardship it demands. Greenbelt’s PENTAD model removes the unreasonable obligations that would otherwise be placed upon homeowners in the model widely used by some housebuilders, at the moment: Resident Management Companies. Gordon notes attentive management in the early years is key to the establishment of biodiverse, species-rich environments and managing these is not a short-term project; they require long-term specialist management solutions. Greenbelt’s in-house experts will work with housebuilders and planners to ensure the implementation of POS is executed correctly, according to the approved design and requirements. With BNG these requirements become increasingly complex and require specialists to deliver, and properly manage, for the long-term. Gordon sees the success of BNG hinging on the regulators – the Local Authorities primarily – being equipped with the necessary resources to drive things forward. “As an ex-regulator, that has experienced the budget cuts of the last decade or two, I see it as being essential that local authorities be given the financial means and staff expertise needed to shape BNG; and bare their teeth when necessary.” While existing management and ecological plans should not have been consigned to the shelf on the receipt of planning permission, one can often see there has been a departure from them, unwitting rather than uncaring. The further leap with BNG is it takes the guardianship or stewardship requirement to a legislative 30 years and requires at least a 10% measurable gain in biodiversity. Gordon adds: “BNG offers much promise. If the regulator is ‘allowed’ to regulate, and the metrics are fair to the stakeholders and fair to the planet, then the housebuilding industry can do its bit to ensure things are left in a better place for future generations.” Previous article: Marie Curie Day of Reflection 2022 Prev Next article: Northstowe Next