Skip to content

Brought to you by

Dentons logo white

UK Planning Law Blog

Real opinions on the alphabet soup of planning and development from s106 agreements to CIL, PDR to DCO, BIDs to UBR, viability to profits for everyone

open menu close menu

UK Planning Law Blog

  • Planning TV
  • Who We Are

Natural Capital – Change is Coming

By Roy Pinnock
August 3, 2020
  • Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Environment Bill
  • Natural Capital
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn

The Environment Bill is emerging back into the daylight having survived the General Election.  Slow burning changes in how we value natural resources are going to reshape how we plan, design and deliver development. In this series of blogs, we explore the way that Natural Capital, Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies will impact on planning.

Ecosystem accounting – Natural Capital

Government has been set on valuing the way that ecosystems provide natural capital – food, clean air and water, wildlife, energy, wood, recreation and protection from hazards since the 25 Year Environment Plan in 2018. The aim is to recognise hidden ‘environmental services value’ that affect wellbeing, health and economic prosperity. 

This is reflected in DEFRA’s initial 2007 valuation guidance, the UN’s ecosystem accounting approach (2012), Treasury revised Green Book (2018) and DEFRA’s 2020 Enabling a Natural Capital Approach guidance.

The ONS now issues accounting updates, measuring this ecosystem account.  For example, it shows that England’s woods and forests deliver ecosystem services of c. £2.3 billion (90% of which is from ‘hidden’ social value – recreation, air pollution removal and CO2 sequestration).

We are therefore moving into a regime where monitoring the size and condition of ecological assets to understand the quantity and value of the services supplied should begin to genuinely inform policy.

Statutory Changes – Net Gain

The 25-Year Environment Plan noted the existing policy requirement (under the 2012 NPPF) for the planning system to provide biodiversity net gains. It committed to exploring strengthening this requirement, to require planning authorities to

  • ensure environmental net gains across their areas;
  • make gains mandatory;
  • allow authorities to develop locally-led strategies.

The 2012 NPPF requirement was rarely implemented. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (and before it the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) also simply required authorities to have regard to biodiversity conservation in decision making.

As the value of ecosystem services becomes clearer, the Environment Bill’s proposed requirements relating to Local Nature Recovery Strategies and to achieve biodiversity net gain in planning decisions will therefore be real changes.  They offer challenges for plans and promoters but also opportunities to demonstrate the value of thinking big and daring to invest.

The following blogs explore how the legislation will work through in practice.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn
Subscribe and stay updated
Receive our latest blog posts by email.
Stay in Touch
Roy Pinnock

About Roy Pinnock

Roy is a partner in the Planning and Public Law team, bringing his experience of working on regeneration projects within local government and as a consultant to his legal practice.

All posts Full bio

RELATED POSTS

  • Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Environment Bill
  • Natural Capital

Gain Starts With Recovery

By Roy Pinnock
  • Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Natural Capital

Biodiversity Net Gain Delivery Routes

By Roy Pinnock
  • Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Environment Bill
  • Natural Capital

Biodiversity Gains – Hierarchy Snakes and Ladders

By Roy Pinnock

About Dentons

Dentons is designed to be different. As the world’s largest law firm with 20,000 professionals in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries, we can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Our polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures we challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com

Dentons boilerplate image

Twitter

Categories

Dentons logo white

© 2023 Dentons

  • Legal notices
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Cookies on this site