Welcome to the Ecosulis Blog where you can find everything related to ecological and environmental advice

Pond restoration work completed for London Wildlife Trust, funded by SITA Trust and Dulwich Estates.

A very short history of Cider by a Cider-drinker!

It is hugely impressive that the Scottish government is currently on target to meet their goal of generating the equivalent of 100% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020. In contrast it is harder to identify how the coalition has supported the sector so that England can meet its 2020 obligations.

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 Royal Parks Agency have appointed Ecosulis to help conserve and enhance the natural and built environment of Regents Park.

Winter is a great time to undertake and plan for a range of ecological surveys. Careful consideration of ecological surveys can help with efficient project programming and avoid potentially costly delays at planning and construction phases of development

Bat dropping DNA analysis can prove essential for the differentiation of the more cryptic species, having an impact on future mitigation and management and could significantly reduce delays and costs associated with further bat surveys.

In October 2011 Natural England decided to withdraw the first edition of the Reptile Mitigation Guidelines (September 2011), in order to seek further feedback and to provide further clarification. Here we consider the implications of this on reptile surveys and mitigation strategies undertaken since September 2011 and going forward into 2012.

Consultation on the NPPF finished on 17 October 2011. There has been a high rate of response, of about 14,000 responses and the debate has certainly polarised opinion! The Planning Inspectorate initially stated that the draft NPPF was a material consideration and “gives a clear indication of the Government’s `direction of travel’ in planning policy”. They withdrew that statement in September, and their guidance now states “It is a consultation document and, therefore, subject to potential amendment. It is capable of being a material consideration, although the weight to be given to it will be a matter for the decision maker in each particular case. The current Planning Policy Statements, Guidance notes and Circulars remain in place until cancelled.”

In the second unscheduled change this year feed in tariff rates for solar PV have been cut. The government argues the subsidises were over generous. The reality of the situation is that one of the few technologies the public seem willing to adopt will no longer be financially attractive, substantial job losses are likely and the changes will reduce investor confidence in emerging subsidy regimes.