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Conservation charity launches web platform to ensure new planning rules support nature’s recovery
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is unveiling a web platform to uphold nature amidst land development, aligning with upcoming planning regulations effective January 2024.
Mandated by the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' (BNG) rules, developers must enhance wildlife habitats on their sites, ensuring a minimum 10% increase in the overall 'biodiversity value.' If this isn't feasible on-site, developers can opt to enhance habitats elsewhere.
To optimise outcomes for the county's ecology, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust introduces 'Net Gain Staffordshire' (www.netgainstaffs.com). This online tool utilises up-to-date ecological data to guide developers in identifying the most suitable areas for nature recovery, aligning with the evolving regulations to safeguard the natural world during land development.
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Net Gain Development Manager Gigi Hennessey, explained:
“Work is starting in Staffordshire to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out the long-term priorities for how we can halt and reverse the decline of nature across the county.
“Biodiversity Net Gain will play an important part in these plans, as these new requirements are intended to ensure that developers can contribute to nature recovery by incorporating nature into their developments and fund habitat improvements in the local area.
“Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is keen to ensure that any funds resulting from BNG to improve habitats are spent in the right places, where wildlife will gain the most benefit. We developed Net Gain Staffordshire to support developers, landowners and local authorities in this process, and to make it as simple and transparent as possible.”
The new platform can be viewed at www.netgainstaffs.com
To help landowners and developers understand how this platform works, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is hosting a free online webinar to demonstrate Net Gain Staffordshire on Wednesday 29 November at 12.30pm. Those wishing to attend can register at: https://netgainstaffordshire.eventbrite.co.uk
News in Brief
• Nominations are now open for the Totally Stoked Awards, celebrating the hard work and success of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire’s voluntary and community sector. Entries close 3rd January.
• “Punk: from Andy Warhol to Vivienne Westwood” is currently exhibiting at Keele University. Glen Matlock, the band’s former bassist and songwriter, was the keynote speaker at the launch of the exhibition of punk photography, featuring work by some of the most celebrated music photographers of the 20th century. The exhibition, on campus in the Chancellors’ building, is open to visitors daily until 20th December.
• Stoke & Staffs LEP reports that the multimillion-pound Chatterley Valley West development in north Staffordshire, set to generate hundreds of jobs, resumed progress after recent setbacks. Initiated in January, the site near Newcastle-under-Lyme aims to create up to 1,700 jobs, marking a significant business venture in the region. Harworth Group, the developer, collaborated with Staffordshire County Council to overcome obstacles, appointing Amey Plc to finalise critical highways infrastructure work by late spring 2024, following the earlier contractor's administration.
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Email: editor@northstaffs.news
thanks for now,
Jerome, the editor