On 27 March 2012, the UK Government published its final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how they should be applied. Jason M. Reeves AIEEM, Policy and Information Officer for the Instituteof Ecology and Environmental Management, reviews.

The Localism Act 2011 has modified what is required in terms of public consultation in support of planning applications. We consider how carefully-planned communication campaigns can enhance public/developer relations, reduce objections and increase the likelihood of permission being granted.

The England Biodiversity Strategy includes a commitment to “to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.” The Strategy sets out four key outcomes that will be achieved through a series of priority actions categorised into four areas. A summary of each of these has been provided.

Following an invitation for Ecosulis to be part of the newly created All Party Parliamentary Group for Biodiversity, we attended the launch of the group at the House of Commons on 19 July 2011. Managing to avoid the crowds and the custard pies being launched at Rupert Murdoch next door the afternoon was very successful and bodes well for promoting biodiversity issues at the heart of decision making....