Concerns Raised Over Developers’ Adherence to Biodiversity CommitmentsConcerns Raised Over Developers’ Adherence to Biodiversity Commitments An ecological assessment conducted by Sarah Postlethwaite, a senior ecologist for a local authority, has raised questions about the effectiveness of developers’ commitments to enhance nature and wildlife habitat in new housing developments. Postlethwaite’s audit of new housing in the East Leake area of Nottinghamshire revealed that some developers have failed to meet their planning commitments, such as creating species-rich grasslands and installing nesting boxes for birds and bats. At the Skylarks estate, a designated nesting site for larks was found to be overgrown and unsuitable for the birds due to excessive vegetation and the presence of cats. The RSPB recommends short, open spaces for lark nesting, conditions not met at this site. In other parts of East Leake, species-rich grasslands were not sown with the required seed or maintained, and bird and bat boxes were missing, misplaced, or hung improperly. Postlethwaite expressed concern that many local authorities lack the expertise and resources to hold developers accountable for their biodiversity commitments. She advocates for the employment of ecologists to review plans and enforce compliance. The government has implemented a policy requiring all new homes to contribute to biodiversity, but Postlethwaite believes that local authorities need more support to effectively implement and enforce these measures. Developers involved in the East Leake projects have apologized and stated that they will investigate Postlethwaite’s findings and take corrective actions. Barratt Homes, the owner of David Wilson Homes, acknowledged shortcomings in maintaining the lark nesting site but maintained that the mitigation plans were approved by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Persimmon Homes and Miller Homes also expressed regret and promised to address outstanding environmental measures. Postlethwaite’s assessment highlights the importance of ensuring that developers fulfill their obligations to protect and enhance biodiversity in the construction of new housing. Effective collaboration between local authorities, ecologists, and developers is crucial to achieving these goals and creating sustainable communities that coexist harmoniously with nature.
Image caption, Sarah Postlethwaite says designated nesting site for larks is unsuitable Article information
- Author, Sally Boogman
- Role, BBC News, Nottingham
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18 minutes ago
A senior ecologist is concerned whether developers building thousands of homes across the country are living up to their commitments to improve sites for nature and wildlife.
Sarah Postlethwaite works for a local authority and has personally carried out a detailed audit of new housing in the East Leake, Nottinghamshire area.
She says developers have so far failed to deliver on commitments made at the planning stage, which include creating and maintaining species-rich grasslands and installing nesting boxes for birds and bats.
Project developers have apologized and said they will investigate her findings.
Image caption, The study looked at new housing developments in East Leake
On the Skylarks estate, on the edge of the village, David Wilson Homes has reserved a nesting site for the birds bearing their names.
The small area is cordoned off and overgrown with grass that reaches up to the ecologist’s shoulder. Inside, the BBC sees a cat enjoying the sun.
“This is totally unsuitable for larks,” says Mrs Postlethwaite. “They need much shorter grass, no perches for predators.
“There are sidewalks here that cause a lot of nuisance and there are many residents’ cats walking around.”
According to RSPB advice, larks need large, open spaces and vegetation should not exceed 50cm in length.
Elsewhere in East Leake, new streets have been named after wildlife or insects. Yet the ecologist’s audit found that what should have been species-rich grassland had not been sown with the required seed or maintained.
Bird and bat boxes were missing. Some were hung upside down or in unsuitable places.
‘Municipalities need experts’
This year the law was changed to make it mandatory for all new homes to contribute to biodiversity. The East Leake estates were given planning permission before the law came into effect.
Ms Postlethwaite is concerned that many local authorities currently do not have the expertise or resources to hold developers to account.
“They need ecologists who can check whether what is being proposed is appropriate and feasible,” she said.
“And then the resources in the enforcement teams so that if things are not created or managed properly, something can actually be done about it.”
A Defra spokesman said: “We will build the homes Britain desperately needs, while protecting the environment.
“That is why we are committed to making Biodiversity Net Gain work effectively and implementing solutions to enable housing construction… without weakening environmental protections.
“Our new cities and homes will have nature at their core.”
What the housing developers say
Barratt Homes, owner of David Wilson Homes, says its mitigation plans have been approved by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, but admits the area with the larks should have been mown in the spring and says it will follow up.
Persimmon Homes has also apologised, with bosses saying they are reviewing their site and will take swift action to put matters right.
Miller Homes says a number of outstanding environmental measures at East Leake have not yet been completed and will be addressed before the development is completed.
