Natural Capital

From the 9th of November 2023, the Environment Act 2021 brings in a new statutory pre commencement planning condition which cannot be overridden on cost or viability grounds.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is on the horizon, and some local authorities have started to develop their planning framework accordingly. We analyse the progress that local authorities are making incorporating BNG into local plans. 

Our latest research on the introduction of BNG to Local Plans in England

In recent years, a new category of farmland buyer has become more prevalent in the market. They go by many names – environmental purchasers, tree planters, carbon offsetters, green investors – but they all share a similar goal.

Maintaining water quality is critical to human health and our natural environment. Its impact on the world of development is comparatively recent, but it is currently placing the delivery of tens of thousands of homes at risk. The consequences of the problem go beyond environmental matters and have a significant impact on broader social and economic considerations.

Appearing before the House of Lords' Built Environment Committee in November, as part of the inquiry into meeting the UK's housing demand, Housing minister Christopher Pincher said, ‘Land value capture is an important item in our considerations.

Is Biodiversity Net Gain (‘BNG’) a developer’s net loss, or can enhanced biodiversity add value to future development? We discuss the relationship between BNG and viability.

There have always been many reasons why people buy farmland and property, but we investigate a new wave of buyers, who want the land’s potential to deliver an alternative income, escapism, or sometimes both.

As the UK strives to hit ambitious environmental targets, landowners are fixing their gaze a little higher than usual. We look at the future of woodland and forestry for landowners and investors. 

On average, we each use 150 litres of water a day, or one tonne per week – and have housebuilding targets of 300,000 homes per year. We look at the importance of strategic planning in providing drinking water.

The problem of nitrate and phosphate neutrality is not new to the development industry. The Solent region was one of the first areas to hit the news in late 2019 with articles on how algae blooms within the river catchment was blocking up to 10,000 planned homes.

The Government commissioned a review of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Our Planning experts respond to suggested changes. 

Johnny Clayton and Glen Richardson of Carter Jonas’ Masterplanning team share their insight on how masterplanning can adapt to reduce carbon emissions.

The NPPF was revised in July 2021. Upon publication, it was immediately pointed out that the new version did not mention net zero and that although it referred to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, it did little to demonstrate how these would be met.

2021 was not a year of significant change for the Estate.  Although opportunities and threats have been considered across all sectors of the Estate.

Phosphate neutrality: what are the requirements in Somerset surrounding planning permission?

The government has launched a grant funding scheme for natural capital projects. Here, we explain what you need to know.

Biodiversity net gain as a concept has its roots in the National Planning Policy Framework, and also features in the Environment Bill. It’s closely linked with the idea of natural capital, but has a more solid link with private-sector income generation than many other natural capital schemes.

Natural capital refers to all naturally occurring assets that provide a benefit to the environment or the population or the economy. But why are we talking about this now?

Rural View visited Gaynes Park Estate in Essex, where the team is looking to the future to identify new income streams through delivering environmental benefits.

Change is coming. We don’t know the rules of the game yet, and we can’t be sure who the winners and losers will be. But the one thing we know for certain is that natural capital is going to be the currency in this new world.

The importance of preparing farm and estate businesses now for a new era of agricultural and environmental policy has been reinforced in new analysis from Carter Jonas.