Planning Ingenuity’s Post

The Government has released its long-awaited list of “fast-track” projects designed to massively speed up resource consents and get big projects more quickly built. The list will be included in the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill which will then go to Parliament's Environment select committee and be reported back by mid-October. Once the bill becomes law, the projects listed will then be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority, which has an expert panel which will assess each project and apply any relevant environmental protections. The projects include: 🏠2800 residential units, subdivision, and development at Homestead Bay (#Queenstown) ⛷Upgrading the Remarkables Ski Field existing infrastructure and expand the existing Remarkables Ski Area into the adjacent Doolans Basin 🏡1,050 dwelling units across a 32 hectare of urban land zoned for development in Goldfield Heights (Queenstown) 🌄On-mountain visitor accommodation, guest facilities and workers accommodation, and to establish and operate a high-speed electric passenger lift system to provide an access link from the Cardrona Valley to the #Cardrona and Soho ski areas. 🏔A new alpine village immediately below #CoronetPeak, with a new gondola providing access up to the existing Coronet Peak Ski Area, new ski area development, and supporting infrastructure. The project will comprise: a new transport hub improving access to Coronet Peak, a mountain bike facility, a restaurant at the summit of Coronet Peak, a facility for Te Tapu o Tane, a boarding high school, a primary school, a comprehensive subdivision up to 780 residential units, public roading and public wastewater infrastructure. 🏘263 high density units at Mt Iron (#Wanaka) 🏠900 dwelling units, a 2.4-hectare commercial area for day-to-day amenities, provision for a 3 hectare primary school for about 350 students at #GibbstonValley

What is it that sets us apart and drives the success of our projects and services? The answer lies with the talented CSA Environmental team and the close and effective working relationship between our disciplines, the wider consultant team and with our client. A case study for this is the support we gave to Gladman Developments earlier this year that led to appeal success and planning permission for 95 homes in Brayton, Selby. CSA were closely involved throughout the process, supporting the original planning application with multi-disciplinary inputs including ecological, landscape, heritage and masterplanning. Through consultations with the local authority and other parties, CSA were active in trying to resolve the council’s concerns during determination. However, four reasons were refusal were ultimately set out, including a concern that the development would result in the deterioration of irreplaceable habitat due to increased recreational pressure upon existing ancient woodland at Brayton Barff SINC. CSA’s Managing Director Aidan Marsh, provided ecological evidence at the inquiry. CSA were proactive in engaging with ecological consultees to identify appropriate mitigation to protect Brayton Barff and a Mitigation Strategy was developed. In evidence, it was shown that only a very small number of additional visitors would arise from the appeal scheme. The inspector accepted that new accessible circular walking routes to be provided across land adjoining the proposed development would provide alternative scope for outdoor recreation and would offset any residual increase in visits to Brayton Barff. To learn more about our projects across all our services, visit: https://lnkd.in/ebd98DBA #expertwitness #ecology #planning #appeal #newhomes #mitigation

Many aquatic professionals feel committed to fostering inclusive aquatic experiences and programs for their communities. A facility’s design plays a crucial role in achieving that objective. If your facility is being renovated, or your organization is building a new aquatic center, you can play a vital role in advocating for equitable processes and inclusive design, even without design experience. Most aquatics professionals will not become involved in the design process — including feasibility studies and strategic plans — more than a time or two in their careers. But when that opportunity does arise, it’s crucial to step into your role as subject-matter expert and help steer the assembled team of architects, consultants and builders in the direction of equity and inclusivity. Read my latest in Aquatics International for some suggestions in framing equity as a value during pool projects from the perspective of an Aquatic Professional!

Finishing my report about SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION A Guide to Green Building Outdoors.

Just had this in from the council in regards to a planning application for 14 lodges adjacent to a golf course and club house; ·        Impact on character and appearance of the area - Furthermore the proposals raise visual amenity concerns. It is acknowledged that the front part of the site is in use as a certified camping and caravan site. This is however a small-scale use which by its nature is temporary and sporadic throughout the year, thereby limiting its visual impact on the surrounding area. The proposed development would essentially constitute a relatively permanent form of development and introducing a long linear finger of built form extending over a much larger area across the site between otherwise relatively open fields and intruding into undeveloped countryside. Due to the separation from the golf course it would not be read as being in connection with this and due to the open undeveloped nature of the surroundings has little context in terms of anchoring it within the setting which would be significantly urbanised as a consequence. The requirement for the existing field access to the site to be improved from a highway safety point of view would also further increase the visual impact of the development on the surrounding area compared to the existing situation, further urbanising the setting. Whilst the hedgerows to the west and north of the site offer some screening, the development would be significantly taller than these and more visible from public vantage points within the surrounding area given the number of lodges and their extent across the site, coupled with the anticipated height of the lodges above the existing ground level and where floor levels also need to be raised due to the site lying within an area at risk from flooding. Whilst additional landscape planting is indicated within the submission, this would not alleviate the concerns raised. As a consequence of the above, the development would not sit comfortably within its setting and would unduly detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Consequently the development would fail to accord with provisions in these regards within relevant local and national planning policies and guidance Unfortunately on this occasion, it is not possible to suggest amendments/additional information that could overcome all of the issues and the application will therefore be refused. Any thoughts on a response?

Our head of BNG and NN Jack Potter took part in the Pro Landscaper event yesterday held in London. A series of workshops, talks and panel discussions. Jack was joined as an expert panellist by David Griffiths the event organiser, Nina Mason who chaired the panel, Fiona Ross from Pinsent Masons offering some interesting legal insights, Richard Jackson CBE from Joe's Blooms delved into small site service logistics and John Wyer a landscape architect with great insights to where the metric is delivering real world change and where it is not hitting the mark. 💡 Across all of the interesting conversations had with landscape professionals, we came away with some clear steps to make BNG more efficient and successful. 1️⃣Ecology and landscape needs to be brought earlier in the process to inform design - It can no longer be an iterative process for developers. The new BNG requirements and integration of process and stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. 🌱 2️⃣Communication with communities is key to empower the communities, who will have to live with these obligations on-site for the next 30 years, to feel a sense of ownership and stewardship for the nature outcomes promised. 🗣️ Jack also had a special mention for Sam Bower from Balfour Beatty plc who is 'knee deep' in BNG every day. He found it heartening to hear how his projects are not just tick box exercises and the ecology input is genuinely delivering gains for nature driven by BNG. Which is what it is all about. 👍 These conversations, and sharing of experience and knowledge is what helps define a new market such as this. So it's important to keep the conversation going. ❓What do you think would help the successful deployment of BNG across the UK?❓

30% of urban areas protected for nature/green space is BOLD…. Yet with urban land at a price premium it requires strong governance to legislate for this. ….see Hamburg’s citizen led agreement below…. Re-imagining what an ‘urban’ environment should include is essential to our experience as humans as we move towards 68% urbanisation globally by 2050… What else can you imagine for our cities of the future? …

SoGreen Alliance: adoption EU Nature Restoration Law historic moment for urban green areas The SoGreen Alliance, a cooperation of eight European associations of urban green professionals (www.onthegreenmove.com), considers the adoption of the EU Nature Restoration Law as a historic moment for greening urban areas. On June 17th 2024, the Environment Council of the Council of the EU adopted the law as final step in the legislative process. The SoGreen Alliance has been lobbying in favour of the law specifically for the aims for the urban area and is relieved that the law has now come true. According to planning, the European Commission will adopt in 2028 a framework for composing, monitoring and reporting of the urban restoration plans. The SoGreen Alliance is committed to cooperate with the European institutions in the preparational work and to align the urban green professionals as specialist stakeholder of green and nature-based solutions in making urban plans on national and local level. Till 2030 The Nature Restoration Law aims at a no net loss of green spaces and tree canopy in the urban area till 2030. This means that there must be attention for compensation of green spaces and tree canopy when this will be removed for for example construction works.  At the same time, this development enhances possibilities of integrating green and nature-based solutions in new projects. Think about green roofs, green facades and gardens. These green solutions offer multiple benefits in public health, biodiversity, storing rainwater, urban cooling, carbon dioxide storage and improving air quality. Good growing conditions and knowledge of maintenance of greenery are vital to create effective and sustainable green solutions. Between 2030 and 2050 Starting from 2030 the national and local urban restoration plans will be put into place. The Nature Restoration Law determines that in the period between 2030 and 2050, there will be a raising trend in the growth of green spaces and tree canopy in the urban area till a satisfactory level is reached. It is up to the national and local governments to define their own ambition, which gives room to adjust to specific local conditions. In the end, efforts are directed to climate resilience, enhanced biodiversity and public health. The urban area will remain a good and attractive place to live, even with the challenge that in future more and more people live in cities. The SoGreen Alliance concludes that this is the first time in history that greening the urban area has been put into law. Looking at the great challenges on climate, biodiversity and public health this is a logical step to create more urgency in tackling these challenges. However, our urban green professionals do have already have the knowledge and experience to start up decisive actions. The SoGreen Alliance takes on behalf of them the lead in making this green transition blossom.        

This type of large scale luxury development project is very concerning because of its coastal location on southwest Puerto Rico. There are natural reserves, critical habitat for endangered and threatend species such as manatees and conch. In addition, this type of project is used to exclude working families from enjoying public access to coastal natural resources. I am concerned of the chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in golf course that can runoff to coastal waters. There are coral reef research plots very near this area.

Today, we've released a new plan for Holyrood Park, which will guide the Park's development over the next decade, focusing on climate action, biodiversity protection, and visitor wellbeing. We understand that traffic management and access to the Radical Road are two of the issues people are most concerned about when it comes to the Park. These complex issues are being dealt with separately. We're working closely with Edinburgh Council on the Movement Strategy for the Park, as we know any proposals to amend vehicle access will have impacts felt beyond the Park. Regarding rock risk, specialist geotechnical engineers have completed a reassessment of risk and made recommendations around measures to mitigate rockfall. We're now acting on this information and, all going well, we should be able to improve access to some areas of the Radical Road from spring 2025. Find out more and download the Strategic Plan for Holyrood Park here: https://ow.ly/63tT50Tf9GE