The Royal Town Planning Institute has released a research summary bringing up concerns for biodiversity
The study, published as a research briefing, on housing developments and mandated ecological features was led by the University of Sheffield’ School of Planning.
The study was commissioned by Wild Justice, and examined 42 developments with planning permission after 2012.
The study looked at mandated ecological features over 291 hectares
Five local planning authorities were studied, accounting for nearly 6,000 homes. The results show that of the mandated ecological features and nature enhancements, just half were delivered. If newly planted trees aren’t counted, this number drops to 34%.
39% of trees identified in planting plans were either not delivered or were dead at time of study. Furthermore, 75% of bird and bat boxes were not installed, 83% of hedgehog highways were missing, and no promised invertebrate boxes were installed.
The study shows that housing developments are often under monitored and mandated ecological features are not being enforced due to under-resources and understaffed enforcement teams in local authorities.
Other RTPI research has shown that 80% of planning enforcement officers believe that there are not enough staff for the workload, and 41% of local authorities do not possess the expertise needed for the mandated ecological features and reach biodiversity net gain.
“We’ve taken our eyes off the concrete results on the ground”
Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive of the RTPI, said: “We are currently in the midst of a global nature emergency. Urgent action is needed to ensure the planning system protects biodiversity, with proper resources for post-consent enforcement.”
Malcolm Tait, principal investigator and professor of planning at the University of Sheffield, said: “Our research shows that housebuilders are not delivering the ecological enhancements that are required as part of planning consents. What we have revealed is a huge, systemic issue and an urgent need for the planning enforcement system to be given the resources it needs to protect wildlife from harm.”
Kiera Chapman, co-investigator and postdoctoral researcher in attention, flourishing, and the humanities at Oxford University, said: “This research shows the importance of paying attention to real world outcomes. So much work in the current planning system is focused on the production of virtual documents, plans, and spreadsheets that we’ve taken our eyes off the concrete results on the ground.
“Developers are taking advantage, and the consequences for people and ecology are devastating. With new ecological policies in the offing, we urgently need to refocus our attention, and fund the parts of the planning system that can rectify this situation. The way we plan and build needs to be more responsible – we have to take the climate and biodiversity crises seriously!”
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