Category Archives: biodiversity offsetting
further thoughts on the Net Gain consultation
Following on from my general critique of the Net Gain proposals, here are a few specific comments in case anyone is thinking about responding to the consultation before the deadline of the 10th February. 1. On page 6 of the … Continue reading
Accountancy will not save nature: the problems with “Net Gain”
It’s difficult to believe that while we watch – ok, there are probably only a few of us now hanging on to the bitter end, as most will have given up and gone off to do something more sensible – … Continue reading
Earthwatch Natural Capital debate today: Does nature come with a price tag?
It’s going to be the warmest day of the year so far (at least down here) so of course rather than go and enjoy the fantastic nature that a beautiful spring day in Dorset has to offer, I’m getting on … Continue reading
Labour commits to building 200,000 new homes a year: Great: where?
At the Labour Conference both Hilary Benn, Shadow CLG Secretary, and Ed Miliband, both promised massive new house-building, up to 200,000 new homes a year by the end of the parliament. Benn said ” … we will give communities, as … Continue reading
Director of Lodge Hill Developer Land Securities withdraws from becoming London Wildlife Trust trustee
Here’s an interesting story, just published in the Guardian. A Director of Land Securities, the FTSE 100 company who are the developers behind the planned destruction of Lodge Hill SSSI, was about to be appointed as a Trustee of London … Continue reading
Biodiversity Offsetting: Planning Appeal agrees housing on Essex flower meadows will create “environmental gain.”.
Tomorrow sees an event to bring together organisations and individuals who are very worried and angry about Biodiversity Offsetting. The Forum on Natural Commons event “Nature is not for sale” is taking place tomorrow evening in Regents Park, London. This … Continue reading
Mapping local greenspace: will it help protect these green lungs?
moody greenspace (photo Miles King) As some of you may have guessed, I’m not the biggest fan of Policy Exchange. This is the think tank the Tories love most – its ex-treasurer is the new Natural England chair, Andrew Sells, … Continue reading
A Lenten Story: The Gamekeeper’s Gibbet, Biodiversity Onsetting and Confirmation Bias
spot the badger The Gamekeeper’s Gibbet Not so long ago, a walk in the country would entail this scene – a gamekeeper’s gibbet. Vermin would be presented by the estate gamekeeper, neatly strung on fences or hung from trees, as … Continue reading
Mark Reckless MP for Lodge Hill rails against Natural England, Quangos, spiders, bugs and – vegetated shingle
Following yesterday’s blog on the latest machinations at Lodge Hill, I was informed that the local MP for the Lodge Hill area Mark Reckless, had not made any statement either for or against the development at Lodge Hill or the … Continue reading
a new nature blog 
Can we stop the 6th Great Extinction?
Here’s a longer version of the piece that has gone on Comment is Free today. Scientists suspect we are entering the sixth global mass extinction. How can we tell, and if we are, what can be done? The august journal … Continue reading →