Mar. 25 2024
Source Page: New guidance to improve biodiversity across government estateFound: The Government Property Agency (GPA) published its Biodiversity and Nature Recovery Annex (BNRA) detailing
Mentions:
1: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bshp - Bishops) To be out in nature, to see nature around us, to smell and touch, to hear and taste nature is good—good - Speech Link
2: Lord Benyon (Con - Life peer) Environment Act includes mechanisms to ensure that commitments through conservation covenants are adhered - Speech Link
Written Evidence Jan. 09 2024
Inquiry: Urban Green SpacesFound: From policy to place: rethinking Green Belt planning policy for people and nature.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reverse biodiversity loss in Lincolnshire.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In England we have set four legally binding targets for biodiversity: to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030; then to reverse declines by 2042; to reduce the risk of species extinction by 2042; and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, also by 2042. These targets will drive actions to support biodiversity in Lincolnshire and every other area across England.
We have set out our plan to deliver on these ambitious targets, along with our other environmental targets, in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. Here we link the different objectives, plans and mechanisms for recovering nature.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) are being prepared across the whole of England to support the delivery of these targets. The 48 strategies are bringing together local partners to agree priorities and propose practical actions in areas where they would have the most benefit for nature recovery and the wider environment. Preparation of the Greater Lincolnshire LNRS is being led by Lincolnshire County Council, with support from local planning authorities in the area and Natural England.
The Lincolnshire Coronation Coast National Nature Reserve (NNR) was declared in September 2023. The newly expanded NNR will enhance the nature and biodiversity of the Greater Lincolnshire coast making it a bigger, better and more joined up area for wildlife, through bringing together the Donna Nook and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Nature Reserves and adding a further 2350 hectares of land managed for nature conservation. The reserve supports many breeding and over-wintering birds, natterjack toads, special plants and insects.
Additionally, the Environment Agency is working with partners to deliver the Upper Witham River and floodplain restoration projects (currently shortlisted for the River Restoration Centre award). Over the last 10 years, habitat along 19.4 km of river has been enhanced with 19 projects: from urban habitat improvement in Grantham, to large scale river and wetland restoration in rural areas.
Mentions:
1: Earl Russell (LD - Excepted Hereditary) My Lords, it feels as if energy conservation is still the last thought and never the first. - Speech Link
2: Baroness Ludford (LD - Life peer) My Lords, have the Government given any thought to older houses, particularly ones in conservation areas - Speech Link
3: Lord Callanan (Con - Life peer) Improvements in energy conservation for homes in listed or conservation areas is a difficult issue. - Speech Link
4: Lord Whitty (Lab - Life peer) I made some attempt to get the Department of Health to recognise the preventive nature of this programme - Speech Link
Mar. 06 2024
Source Page: Coastal access: Section 52 notice for Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-CrouchFound: It has also produced a Nature Conservation Assessment (NCA) that should be read alongside the HRA.
Mar. 28 2024
Source Page: Permitted Development Rights review - phase 3: consultation analysisFound: permission having to be submitted to, and approved by, the relevant planning authority.
May. 08 2024
Source Page: Fusion energy facilities: new National Policy Statement and proposals on sitingFound: This is consistent with terminology in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Asked by: Steve Reed (Labour (Co-op) - Croydon North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of the marine protected area network is in (a) effective management and (b) favorable condition.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We have established a comprehensive network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 40% of English waters and last year introduced a new statutory MPA target. All MPAs are protected through the planning and licensing process. We are also working with regulators to introduce any necessary additional management measures. 60% of the 181 English MPAs are already protected from damaging fishing activity through byelaws, including the new byelaw announced in February to ban bottom trawling in a further 13 MPAs. Our scientific advisors (Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee) are developing an MPA monitoring strategy to assess progress towards meeting the statutory MPA target, including whether the necessary management measures are in place. The current estimate is that 44% of our protected features are in favourable condition.
Feb. 01 2024
Source Page: Local development plan: AberdeenshireFound: EH6 6QQ www.gov.scot Local Government and Communities Directorate Planning