Conservation Planner issue 28 - RSPB

More documents

Recommendations

Info

RSPB poses tough questions and rough answers for adaptation to climate change The publication, in December 2007, of Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change represented the first real attempt to enshrine the need to contribute to the alleviation of climate change through the planning system in England. The RSPB welcomes this document. It makes positive strides towards greater awareness of the vital role the planning system can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging adaptation of the natural and built environments to inevitable climate change. Adaptation is something of a Cinderella in the climate change world. The urgent need for global mitigation has attracted massive attention – yet it is not the whole answer. Wildlife is already responding to climate change and we know further change cannot be avoided. We must therefore adapt to the climate change that we cannot avoid, whatever mitigation measures we take. The new PPS touches on adaptation in its overarching principles. To contribute to the debate, the RSPB has published a new report, Climate change, wildlife and adaptation: 20 tough questions, 20 rough answers, which outlines how nature conservation needs to adapt to meet the impacts of climate change. The scale of current and projected climate change and the speed of its development set the context for adaptation. We need to build a framework for action, which needs the views, experience and support of others, to help build the best adaptation strategy possible for the UK to secure a future for biodiversity, and the services it provides. Planners and the planning system will have a key role to play. For biodiversity, our first response must be to strengthen and secure wildlife populations today: without these, we have no seed corn for the future. The 20 questions consider a range of issues, with conclusions that may surprise. We outline why we believe a focus on species conservation is perhaps more important than ever, the importance of protected areas, and how species movements and re-distribution may be assisted in the wider countryside. We look at the legal underpinning of conservation, including how planning legislation can play its part. We consider whether some species really are beyond help; the validity of species targets, and the role of nature conservation techniques such as re-wilding and translocation, and, on broader issues, the delivery of ecological services, the meshing of conservation with adaptation in other sectors, and how we might address the issue of uncertainty. The report also sets out a call to action. We need strong leadership from Government, for adaptation as well as for mitigation. This must start today, building resilient populations of wildlife in healthy habitats, with a massively increased area of land managed for environmental benefits. In planning terms we ask for a policy requirement for those areas of highest potential for habitat creation to be safeguarded from development. Investment in the future needs to include proper sustainability safeguards, mapping and protection of areas likely to be of biodiversity importance, and a programme of action to improve landscape permeability, underpinned by an enhanced commitment to agri-environment spending. There should be biodiversity checks and safeguards on the adaptation plans of all relevant sectors. We believe that all land should deliver some environmental benefit, which the planning system can help to ensure. The report is available on the RSPB’s website at www.rspb.org.uk/Images/ climatechange20questions_tcm9-170121.pdf
New online ‘Biodiversity Toolkit’ for planners A new resource is being prepared to provide a biodiversity planning toolkit for planners, ecologists and developers. The Planning Portal will host this online. Supported by CLG, Defra, and from the RTPI, IEEM, all the UK statutory nature conservation bodies and many wildlife NGOs, the kit will host tools for both forward planning and development control and management. These will be accessible through: • a home page with contents lists, pop up windows, dropdown fact sheets, useful links • four ‘explorable’ landscapes with easy visual access to crucial information and tools. The tools will cover legislation, policy, ecological surveys, validation of applications, good practice for ecological mitigation, compensation and enhancement, planning conditions and practical ways to incorporate biodiversity into development plans. The toolkit is expected to be available some time in early summer. Further details are available from Mike Oxford, Association of Local Government Ecologists at michaeloxford@btinternet.com Rainham Marshes – flagship for a greener Thames Gateway David Kjaer (rspb-images.com) The toolkit will, for example, provide advice on taking barn owls into consideration in new developments The RSPB’s Rainham Marshes nature reserve, on the former Purfleet Firing Ranges in Thurrock, was highly commended at the recent Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Awards in the ‘Rural Areas and Natural Environment’ category. The application process started over a year ago, and included a visit by the judges in September 2007. The RSPB believes that Rainham, at the heart of the Thames Gateway, is a Visitor centre, Rainham Marshes James Brittain fantastic example of a ‘next generation’ urban nature reserve. The state of the art Environment and Education Visitor Centre, designed by van Heyningen and Hayward Architects, has incorporated the highest standards of water and energy efficiency. The reserve itself gives local communities access to the marshes after more than 100 years, and will be a key part of the proposed London Riverside Conservation Park. Biodiversity will be enhanced and areas of wet grassland, marsh and open water are being maintained, supporting birds, scarce invertebrates and mammals such as the water vole. Over 250 bird species have already been recorded at Rainham. A crucial factor in the commendation was being able to show how the planning system had been used to bring the project to fruition. The RSPB believes that Rainham is a best practice example of how to use the planning system to develop a significant project and how early engagement with a local authority can help overcome complicated problems. In delivering Rainham the RSPB worked with a wide range of partners including: Thurrock Council, London Borough of Havering, Environment Agency, Natural England, Port of London Authority, Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, East of England Development Agency, Thames Gateway DC and Thurrock Thames Gateway DC, Heritage Lottery Fund, Veolia ES Cleanaway Havering Riverside Trust, Sustrans, Learning and Skills Councils, local community groups, and local strategic partnerships. We were extremely pleased to be commended for the award and feel it rewards the Society for the values we believe in – high quality, sustainable design and a light touch on the environment. We warmly invite people to visit Rainham Marshes to see what we have achieved. Details can be found on the RSPB’s website at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/ rainhammarshes/index.asp
Page 1: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) CONSERVA
Page 5 and 6: Sustainable planning rewarded in No
Page 7 and 8: Golf course development not a ‘to

Conservation Planner issue 28 - RSPB

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?