Tag Archives: Ecology

Which sites are exempt from BNG?

Leave a Reply

Which sites are exempt from BNG?

You might be pondering the question: Which sites are exempt from BNG?

Several types of developments are exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:

Existing Planning Applications: Developments with planning applications submitted before February 12, 2024 (the mandatory BNG start date) are exempt.

Developments Below the Threshold: Projects with minimal impact on biodiversity qualify for exemption if they meet certain criteria:

  • They don’t affect any priority habitat.
  • The development impacts less than:
    – 25 square meters of non-priority habitat.
    – 5 linear meters of habitats like hedgerows (hedgerow is a boundary line of closely spaced shrubs or small trees).
  • Householder Applications: Minor building works like home extensions typically undertaken by homeowners are exempt.

Self-build and Custom Housebuilding: Small-scale self-build and custom housebuilding projects qualify if they meet all these conditions:

  • No more than 9 dwellings are built.
  • The total site area is no larger than 0.5 hectares (around 1.2 acres).
  • The dwellings are exclusively for self-build or custom housebuilding as defined by specific legislation.

Other Exemptions:

  • Developments specifically for biodiversity gain.
  • High-speed rail projects.
  • There may be other exemptions; it’s best to consult with the relevant authorities for the latest information.

 

How much can I earn from BNG Credits?

Leave a Reply

How much can I earn from BNG Credits?

It has recently been requested of us to supply a client with a quote for BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) Credits for a site near Chard and assessment of Carbon Credit Scoping.

This request is becoming more frequent as landowners may be interested in land use change, such as adapting disused or hard to manage land into biodiversity encouraging habitats.

Good areas to use for biodiversity credits might include boggy land, steep land, stoney land,  land with poor soil and any other area of underutilized Farmland.

The colour photograph showing English Farmland there is a hedge in the foreground which has been trimmed with the mechanical hedge trimmer behind the hedge is a field with known grass various hedge rows seen in the distance and small farm building with silver roof this is galvanized corrugated steel in the fields are sheep and cows and in the distance there are two Cyprus trees and the very far distance you can see a lime of electricity pylons of style built in the 1970s which include galvanized steel lattice work and Carry approximately four to six cables per pile on the sky is overcast with small patches of clear Sky and the center left of the picture there is also a small brick built agricultural building with a single opening visible

Kate Jewell / Farmland near Scalford

BNG Credit Case Study

We will now describe to you a case study involving biodiversity net gain credits: The project consisted of assessing farmland which produces low yields and is hard to manage, and evaluating the current biodiversity value and understanding the ideal habitat to convert the land into. The subsequent increase of biodiversity value that can be gained with the converted land can be equated into Habitat Credits/BNG Credits. These BNG Credits can then be sold for between £9,000 and £25,000 (Squires, 2023).

The ideal habitat to be introduced was Native Broadleaved Woodland, and with 1 hectare of land enhanced from farmland this roughly equates to 5 habitat credits or £45,000.

Added Benefits

The newly planted woodland, funded by a BNG Credit buyer, can also gain additional carbon credits (WCU’s – Woodland Carbon Units). WCU’s can be sold for a guaranteed price for up to 2055/56 and can be sold for any newly planted woodland, not just for BNG.

If you require assistance with BNG Credit evaluation or Carbon Credit Scoping, let us know.

Image: Kate Jewell / Farmland near Scalford

Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment: Ashford, Kent

Leave a Reply

SHRA?

Do you need an SHRA (Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment) for you planning application, in Ashford, Kent? If you do please contact us and we can quote for a cost effective and timely service.

Why Do I need and SHRA?

The nutrient neutrality issue in Ashford, Kent, revolves around protecting the water quality of the Stour catchment, which has been negatively impacted by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients primarily come from sources like agriculture and wastewater treatment plants.

By Alex Lockton – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Here’s a breakdown of the issue:

The Problem:

  • Excess nutrients in the Stour catchment harm sensitive habitats like the internationally important Stodmarsh nature reserve, so an Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment is needed.
  • To address this, Natural England implemented regulations requiring “nutrient neutrality” for new developments. This means any development that adds nutrients through wastewater needs to find ways to offset that impact elsewhere.

The Impact:

  • This requirement has significantly impacted building projects in Ashford, as around 90% of planned development sites fall within the affected area.
  • Many planning applications have been put on hold, hindering housing development and causing economic concerns, unless a Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessment can be provided, and then not even then!

The Controversy:

  • Local authorities like Ashford Borough Council argue that the onus shouldn’t solely fall on them to address a wider issue beyond their control.
  • They emphasize that water companies and the Environment Agency, responsible for water quality, should share the responsibility.
  • The government initially proposed changes to lessen the burden on local authorities, but these were met with opposition and not enacted.

Current Status:

  • As of October 2023, the government is working on a new bill to address the nutrient neutrality issue, aiming to shift responsibility to relevant bodies. But this was voted out, owing to being so poorly written. And as such for the time being the issue remains.
  • Ashford Borough Council continues to seek solutions for development while the new bill takes shape.

Further Resources:

The Windshield Phenomenon

Leave a Reply

A New Phrase I Wish I Didn’t Know!

I suddenly realised the other day that my children (some of whom are teenagers) have never seen a car windshield (or windscreen :-/ if you are in the UK) covered in squashed bugs. “Good” you might say what a horrible thing to show a child. But really it is very worrying that they don’t know that this used to be normal in the UK during the summer, and its absence is not a great sign with regard to the UK’s levels of biodiversity.

Shifting Baselines

Example: Imagine a child growing up in a city with smog-filled skies. They may not realize the air quality is unhealthy because it’s their “normal.” This is the essence of shifting baseline syndrome: each generation accepts the current state of the environment as the baseline, even if it’s degraded compared to the past.

Windscreens of the Past

The Windshield phenomenon, also known as the Windscreen phenomenon, refers to the observation that fewer dead insects seem to accumulate on the windshields and front bumpers of cars compared to past decades. It’s become a common anecdotal observation among drivers, particularly those who have been driving for many years.

Image of Car windshield with splattered insects
ecologyisnotadirtyword.com

While the phenomenon itself is quite noticeable, the reasons behind it are complex and multifaceted. Here are some of the leading explanations:

1. Decline in insect populations:

  • This is arguably the most concerning explanation. Studies across the globe have documented a significant decline in insect populations, with some estimates suggesting a drop of up to 75% in some regions since the 1990s.
  • This decline is attributed to several factors, including habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation and urbanization, excessive pesticide use, climate change, and light pollution.

2. Changes in driving habits and car designs:

  • Modern cars tend to be more aerodynamic and have smoother front ends, which might make it less likely for insects to hit the windshield directly.
  • Additionally, increased highway speeds and changes in driving routes may also play a role, as insects are less likely to encounter cars at certain speeds or on specific roads.

3. Observer bias:

  • It’s possible that the Windshield phenomenon is partly due to our own perception. As people become aware of the decline in insect populations, they might be more likely to notice the absence of insects on their windshields, even if the actual number hasn’t changed significantly. However, I would have thought a long drive in the summer would yield a few casualties, so driving from Devon to Scotland without killing a single bug. . .  that is a bit of a coincidence.

The implications of the Windshield phenomenon are worrisome:

  • Insects play crucial roles in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and prey for other animals. A significant decline in their populations could have cascading effects on entire ecosystems, impacting food webs and potentially even affecting human food security.

Therefore, it’s important to take the Windshield phenomenon seriously and investigate the causes behind it further.

More research is needed to understand the full extent of the decline in insect populations and to develop effective conservation strategies.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

  • The Windshield phenomenon is not a definitive indicator of insect decline on its own. More comprehensive studies are needed to confirm the trends and their underlying causes.
  • While the phenomenon might be partly due to observer bias, it’s still a valuable observation that raises awareness about the potential threat to insect populations.
  • Conservation efforts focused on protecting insect habitats, reducing pesticide use, and mitigating climate change are crucial to addressing the broader issue of insect decline.

Remember, even small changes in our individual habits, like choosing organic produce and opting for sustainable gardening practices, can contribute to a healthier planet for insects and ourselves.

How Can Sewage Companies Increase Biodiversity?

Leave a Reply

Perhaps – But What is Being Done at the Moment is not Enough.

Sewage companies, even though dealing with the not-so-glamorous side of our lives, can play a surprisingly crucial role in boosting biodiversity. But the light touch methods used at present will not outway the harm that outdated, and badly run assets causes. Here are some ways sewage companies claim to help at present:

1. Investing in advanced treatment technologies:

  • Membrane bioreactors (MBRs): These sophisticated systems use membranes to filter out even the tiniest contaminants, producing cleaner effluent that’s safer for aquatic life.
  • Nutrient removal technologies: Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage can trigger harmful algal blooms, upsetting the ecosystem. Advanced treatment methods like biological nutrient removal can help control these nutrients.
  • Microbial fuel cells: These innovative systems harness the power of microbes to generate electricity from wastewater, potentially turning waste into a resource and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This may seam slightly detached from bio diversity, but resource used and climate change are both reducing biodiversity.

2. Minimizing pollution at the source:

  • Public education and outreach: Raising awareness about responsible disposal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other harmful substances can significantly reduce their presence in wastewater.
  • Collaboration with industries: Partnering with industries to pretreat their wastewater before it enters the municipal system can significantly lessen the load on treatment plants and protect aquatic ecosystems.
  • Investing in leak detection and repair: Leaky pipes and sewers allow untreated wastewater to escape into the environment, contaminating water sources and harming biodiversity. Regular inspections and proactive repairs can minimize these leaks.
  • Elimination Combined Sewer Overflows: Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) can have a significant and negative impact on the environment, public health, and infrastructure.

3. Creating and restoring natural habitats:

  • Wetlands construction: Wetlands act as natural filters, removing pollutants and providing habitat for diverse species. Sewage companies can create or restore wetlands near treatment plants to enhance biodiversity.
  • Riparian buffer zones: Planting trees and shrubs along riverbanks helps stabilize the soil, prevents erosion, and creates valuable habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
  • Fish stocking programs: In some cases, carefully planned fish stocking programs can help restore fish populations in rivers impacted by past sewage discharges.

4. Embracing circular economy principles:

  • Resource recovery: Sewage sludge, a byproduct of treatment, can be treated and turned into fertilizer or renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on virgin resources and minimizing waste.
  • Water reuse: Treated wastewater can be used for irrigation, industrial processes, or even toilet flushing, reducing pressure on freshwater resources.

By implementing these strategies, sewage companies can transform their operations from potential threats to biodiversity into valuable contributors to a healthier planet. Remember, a thriving ecosystem not only benefits the environment but also leads to cleaner water, improved public health, and a more resilient future for all.

But – The Damage is Far Worse

Sewage, a byproduct of our daily lives, poses a significant challenge to the UK’s precious biodiversity. While modern wastewater treatment facilities significantly reduce pollution, the issue remains complex, with various factors influencing the impact on different ecosystems.

Negative Effects:

  • Nutrient Overload: Excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage can trigger algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels and harming aquatic life. Imagine vast stretches of water covered in thick, green scum, suffocating fish and other organisms.
Image of Algae bloom caused by sewage pollutionAlgae bloom caused by sewage pollution
  • Toxic Chemicals: Sewage can contain pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial pollutants that are harmful to wildlife. These chemicals can disrupt hormones, impair reproduction, and even cause deformities in animals.
  • Habitat Degradation: Untreated sewage spills or overflows can contaminate rivers, streams, and coastal areas, damaging sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs and seagrass meadows. These vital habitats provide food and shelter for countless species, and their loss has cascading effects throughout the food chain.
  • Spread of Disease: Sewage can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can sicken fish, birds, and other wildlife. This can lead to outbreaks of disease and population decline, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems.

  • Plastics: Our ubiquitous companions in modern life, unfortunately find their way into our sewage systems, posing a significant and often hidden threat to aquatic ecosystems and potentially even human health. Everyday plastic items like disposable cups, plastic bags.

Are there Nutrient Credits Available in Somerset?

Leave a Reply

Yes, there are nutrient credits available in Somerset. Nutrient credits are a way for developers to offset the negative impact of phosphate emissions from their projects. This is important because phosphates can harm the environment, especially in sensitive areas like the Somerset Levels and Moors.

The cost of nutrient credits varies depending on a number of factors, including the location of the project and the amount of phosphate that needs to be offset. However, you can expect to pay around £55,000 per kg of phosphorus.

Image of Nutrient Credits SomersetOpens in a new windowwww.somerset.gov.uk

If you are a developer considering purchasing nutrient credits in Somerset, you should contact a number of different companies to get quotes. You should also make sure that the company you choose is reputable and has a good track record of delivering nutrient credits.

Here are some of the benefits of using nutrient credits in Somerset:

  • They can help you to get your project approved by the planning authority.
  • They can help you to avoid delays to your project.
  • They can help you to protect the environment.

If you are considering using nutrient credits in Somerset, I recommend that you do your research and choose a reputable company. Nutrient credits can be a valuable tool for developers who want to protect the environment and get their projects approved.

Critique of Michael Gove’s Nutrient Neutrality Announcement

Leave a Reply

Critique of Michael Gove’s Nutrient Neutrality Announcement

Below you will find commentary of government plans to reform nutrient neutrality laws. Comments are

  • bulleted

Nutrient Neutrality Announcement

Over 100,000 homes held up due to defective EU laws will be unblocked between now and 2030, delivering an estimated £18 billion boost to the economy, the government has announced today (29 August 2023).

  • Comment: Not all of the nutrient sensitive sites are European sites, some such as SSSIs are international.

Currently, legacy EU laws on nutrient neutrality are blocking the delivery of new homes, including cases where planning permission has already been granted. Nutrients entering our rivers are a real problem, but the contribution made by new homes is very small. These laws which originate from Brussels put a block on new homes in certain areas – taking away control over what is built, and when, from local people.

  • Comment: One house will make a small contribution. 100,000 homes will make a lkare contribution.

Through an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the government will do away with this red tape and allow for the delivery of more than 100,000 new homes desperately needed by local communities. Thanks to the government’s action, it is expected that developers could begin construction on these homes in a matter of months.

  • Comment: This is presented as though the whole of society will benefit from this reform. One of the main obstacles to people buying new homes is high interest rates, and high living costs. This is nothing to do with nutrients.

The move comes alongside new environmental measures that will tackle pollution at source and restore habitats. This includes significantly expanding investment in and evolving the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme run by Natural England, doubling investment to £280 million to ensure it is sufficient to offset the very small amount of additional nutrient discharge attributable to up to 100,000 homes between now and 2030.

  • Comment: On a rural waste treatment works around 700m2 of wetland is required to offset 1 home. To offset 100,000 new homes we will require 70,000,000m2.  Wetland at very best case costs around £4 per m2 to buy land and create. And as such the this extra £140 million is around half the amount required.

Natural England will work with local authorities, the private sector and others to tackle nutrient pollution and work towards the long-term health and resilience of the river systems. The government intends to work with the house building industry to ensure that larger developers make an appropriate and fair contribution to this scheme over the coming years, and is discussing the right structure and approach with the Home Builders Federation.

  • Comment: Natural England have had 3 years to do this already and have not delivered. I am writing this from a small developers perspective because that is who we deal with. But Natural England have taken in some case 3 years to make a decision on some the sites we are working on, which is too slow. This may because of the liabilities that arise from breach of ecological laws.

The government will then accelerate work on full site restoration through further work on new Protected Site Strategies, which Natural England will draw up in partnership with local communities to set protected sites on the path to recovery in the most affected catchments with the highest housing demand.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP said:

We are committed to building the homes this country needs and to enhancing our environment. The way EU rules have been applied has held us back. These changes will provide a multi-billion pound boost for the UK economy and see us build more than 100,000 new homes.

Protecting the environment is paramount which is why the measures we’re announcing today will allow us to go further to protect and restore our precious waterways whilst still building the much-needed homes this country needs.

We will work closely with environmental agencies and councils as we deliver these changes.

  • Comment: Not all of this is EU law. Some is international. The phosphate credit market (of which are we are part) will also provide a multi billion pound boost to the economy. These credits scheme also benefit farmers, smaller developers and homeowners, who are often eligible for free septic tank upgrades, or 6 figure sums from changing the way their farm operates. An open phosphate credit market spreads wealth around.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey said:

These new plans will cut nutrients and help support England’s precious habitats whilst unlocking the new homes that local communities need.

We are going to tackle the key causes of nutrients at source with over £200 million of funding to reduce run off from agriculture and plans to upgrade waste water treatment works through conventional upgrades, catchment approaches and nature-based solutions.

  • Comment: This sounds like a tax payer funded bail out of water companies. With taxpayer money going to water companies so they can upgrade their water works. They should have course made less profit and done this work years ago.

This builds on the key commitments made in our 5-year strategy – our Environmental Improvement Plan – as well as our Plan for Water which brings forward more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement to protect our rivers.

Alongside the amendments tabled to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, the government has announced a series of new environmental measures to restore our protected sites, including a commitment to offset the very small amount of additional nutrients attributable to up to 100,000 new homes. Beyond the immediate action that will be driven by Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, this package includes:

Committing to further work on developing Protected Sites Strategies in the catchments most impacted by nutrient neutrality and with the most acute housing pressures. These bespoke plans will help identify specific action needed to restore habitats and species in specific areas. The aim is to agree and implement tangible actions to reduce pollution at source, through nature-based solutions such as wetlands and new innovations.

Reducing nutrients entering the water from new development with new laws expected to drive significant investment from water companies to upgrade wastewater treatment works to the highest technical standards by 2030. The next water company investment cycle will be among the biggest and most ambitious ever.

  • Comment: Who is paying for those upgrades. And how will it impact on water bills.

Conducting at least 4,000, inspections on farms each year – making sure that slurry and other sources of nutrients are being handled in a way that minimises pollution of the water environment.

Reducing nutrient run off into our rivers from farms – supporting our farmers by investing £200 million in grants for improved slurry storage infrastructure and precision spreading equipment. This makes a further £166 million available for new investment into slurry infrastructure.

  • Comment: This is already implemented. But it is difficult to get planning permission for improved slurry storage owing to the calculation methodologies employed in assessing their impact.

Investing £25 million to drive innovation to help farmers manage plant and soil nutrients. This will increase resilience, reduce input costs and improve productivity as part of a more circular economy for nutrients. The effective use of waste has the potential to create new revenue streams. We will also consult this year on modernising our fertiliser product standards to drive increased use of organic and recycled nutrients.

Introducing from 2024 payment premiums into our environmental land management schemes. This will accelerate take up of certain high priority options, including those that provide benefits for water quality.

Publishing a River Wye action plan this autumn to tackle the unique issues in Herefordshire.

Ensuring new homes built do not place undue stress on already stressed local water networks by consulting this year on new requirements where needed for Sustainable Drainage Solutions to reduce pressure on storm overflows from new homes and flood risk.

All of this builds on our Plan for Water, which sets out measures to transform and integrate our water system, address sources of pollution and boost our water supplies through more investment, stronger regulation, and tougher enforcement.

Our nutrient reduction plan will also help deliver on our legal target to reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture by at least 40% by 2038, and by 15% in nutrient neutrality catchments by 2028, and to reduce phosphorus loadings from wastewater by 80% by 2038, and by 50% by 2028.

  • Comment: How will this be delivered without increasing dependency on food imports.

The government has a strong record on housebuilding, with more than 2.2 million homes delivered since 2010. The Secretary of State for Housing recently set out his long-term plan to go even further and unlock more development across the country.

Changes to nutrient neutrality rules and wider planning reforms will allow the government to go even further towards its target of delivering one million homes this Parliament.

The environmental measures announced today lead on from the government’s Plan for Water published in April which set out actions to address all sources of water pollution, including through accelerating £2.2 billion of water company infrastructure investment to prevent storm overflow discharges and improve drought resilience, and unlimited fines for environmental polluters.

  • Comment: Who is paying for these upgrades. Do this shift financial burden from house builders and water companies on to tax paper / bill payer.

The current EU-derived regulations have required Natural England to issue guidance to 62 local authority areas that new development must be ‘nutrient neutral’ in their area, including Somerset, Norfolk, Teesside, Kent, Wiltshire and the Solent. This has blocked or delayed new development – including around a large number of homes that already have planning permission and local communities have already said they want.

The amendment today will remove this requirement, allowing Natural England greater freedom to develop catchment-specific solutions to the causes of nutrient pollution in partnership with each community, supported by government and private investment.

  • Comment: Natural England already have that ability.

SWEL’s Opinion

The problem with nutrient neutrality is not the law, or the lack of solutions. The problem stems from:

  1. Lack of staff in Councils and Natural England
  2. Lack of effective decision making by Councils and Natural England

We have been offering solutions, for over 3 years. However, there has been little urgency on the part of planning officials and natural england to approve these, or to provide advice. In situation where we have found a way through, it has taken years to do so.

Some ideas, that might work:

  1. Doubling staffing levels of National England
  2. Doubling Staffing Levels in Planning Offices
  3. Pay Natural England extra money for each home passed off.
  4. Leave the rules as they are.