Latest news with #NaturalEngland
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford stadium decision delayed due to ancient woodland
A decision on Oxford United's new stadium plans has been delayed after a nearby woodland was designated as District Council was due to review an application for a 16,000-seat venue on land known as the Triangle, near Kidlington, on 31 the local authority said it required further time after Natural England identified an area of ancient woodland near the site, and said its planning committee would now consider the application on 14 club said it was "disappointed" with the delay. Development director at Oxford United Jonathon Clarke said it the last-minute submission was "frustrating"."However, we have provided comprehensive evidence addressing the points raised," he said, adding it was "an incredibly detailed, robust application"."We will continue our work towards a positive recommendation as we await a new committee date."The planning application has faced several delays since its council said the designation required "a further period of time to ensure the robust consideration of those matters" and incorporate them into its recommendation England previously said its woodland specialists had "found that there has been sufficient evidence submitted to support this site as ancient woodland".But it added that it would be willing to "consider further substantively different evidence" in this particular case. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
New ‘integrated regulator' should replace Ofwat and drive ‘fundamental reform' of the water sector, review finds
Update: Date: 2025-07-21T05:56:48.000Z Title: Commission recommends new integrated water regulators to replace Ofwat Content: One of the Independent Water Commission's most important recommendations is the creation of a new integrated water regulator for the sector in England, and a single water regulator in Wales. These new body would replace Ofwat, the criticised regulator which the Guardian reported on Friday was to be abolished. The new integrated regulator in England would combine the functions of Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, as well as taking on the water functions from the Environment Agency and Natural England. The commission says this could 'significantly strenthen' oversight of water companies, arguing: A single regulator would be able to oversee all operations of a water company from all angles and come to a 'whole firm view' of performance issues and compliance failures – some of which may interrelate and may not have been adequately understood in the current model, where cooperation between regulators is limited. This could deliver greater accountability in the regulatory framework with one organisation and one board responsible and accountable for the outcomes of the sector. It could also mean 'more joined-up approach to regulation overall', allowing issues to be tackled faster and more effectively. There would also be increased accountability for delivery, as well as reduced regulatory burden by simplifying water company and stakeholder interactions with regulatory bodies, the Commission suggests. A more joined-up, coherent and streamlined approach to regulation could also benefit investor confidence, the Commission suggests, adding: Although a merger inevitably presents uncertainty in the short-term, in the long-term it should create greater stability overall for the regulatory system – establishing the clear and objective conditions necessary to attract investment. Update: Date: 2025-07-21T05:55:52.000Z Title: Introduction: Independent Water Commission pushes for 'fundamental reform' Content: Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy. England and Wales's water industry requires 'fundamental reform' to address the problems that have dogged the sector, a new review has found. A new official report into the water sector, just released, is recommending a swathe of new meaasures, including new regional water authorities with responsibility for 'integrated and holistic water system planning'. The Independent Water Commission has found that a fundamental 'reset' of the water sector is needed, to raise standards across the industry, in a 465-page report which just landed. Sir Jon Cunliffe, the former civil servant and central banker who led the Commission, is warning this morning that 'no single, simple change' will fix the water industry, which has been beset by under-investment, rising pollution incidents, soaring customers billd and meaty shareholder payouts. Cunliffe says: This sector requires fundamental reform on all sides – how we manage the demands on water, how the system is regulated, how companies are governed and how we manage the critical infrastructure on which we all rely. He also calls for 'a long-term, cross-sector strategy for water', explaining: It may sound academic, but it is profoundly important. A clear set of national priorities for water – covering the water industry, agriculture, land-use, energy, transport, housing development – is essential. Without it, we will continue to be dogged by inconsistency, short termism, unintended consequences and risk willing the ends without ever fully understanding the means required. Cunliffe's report has 88 recommendations in total, which include: a long-term, cross-sector strategy for water. the modernisation of the legal framework for water regulatory changes, including a new integrated regulator for water greater transparency in areas such as operator self-monitoring and scrutiny of water company reporting the introduction of a single social tariff, to improve affordability and customer service Changes to the economic regulation of water companies, including 'a company-specific supervisory function' that would feed into the current price review structure New national resilience standards for infrastructure, to help guarantee the maintainance of underground pipes and other water and wastewater assets
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Birmingham named UK's first official Nature City
Birmingham has been recognised as the UK's first official Nature City by a group including the National Trust and Natural England. The city has been awarded the accolade as part of a programme working to improve access to nature in urban award recognised the role played by the city council and others in providing communities in Birmingham with better access to nature and green city is joined by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, which were collectively named the UK's first official Nature Towns. The Nature Towns and Cities programme - a parnership of Natural England, National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund - aims to help at least 100 locations across the UK to become greener places for people to live and latest award follows a £9m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund just over a week ago to restore Victorian glasshouses at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham City Council has developed a 25-year City of Nature plan - a long-term strategy to reconnect people with nature, as well as improve biodiversity, and tackle climate and health Majid Mahmood said it had has laid out a "robust" framework for transforming how nature is valued in Birmingham."We're really leading the way in creating and recovering urban nature and are one of the greenest cities in Europe," he said."We work with community groups such as Birmingham Tree People to plant trees in inner city areas such as Alum Rock, and in partnership with Open Door Community Foundation and Friends of Seven Streets Park - Balsall Heath to develop pocket parks in their neighbourhoods. "These are small but impactful green spaces that bring nature to people's doorsteps while supporting wellbeing, biodiversity, food growing and community pride." As well as the Nature City and Nature Town titles awarded, 40 towns and cities across the UK have received funding to help them take steps to improving access to the West Midlands, Walsall and Coventry have received almost £1m each from the National Lottery Heritage funding in Coventry will will be used to allow 3,000 young people learn new green skills through citizen science projects, new education resources and school allotments. Hilary McGrady, Director General at the National Trust, said the wider programme would "enrich places with green space and contribute to the healthy mind, body and future that people need". Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
NHS staff being trained to use outdoors for treating patients
Healthcare professionals are being trained to use nature in treating people with poor mental health, it has been England said it was funding courses so NHS staff from across Sussex could learn how to work in outdoor settings. It comes as less than half the population say they've been to the countryside or a local park recently, according to government statistics. "The importance of open spaces cannot be underestimated," said Sarah Davies, Natural England's principal adviser for partnerships in Sussex and Kent. "Nature can relax us, educate us, and help reduce anxiety and depression."We know there are countless benefits to connecting with nature - it makes us feel better, physically and mentally," she continued. Relaxed and refreshed Natural England said healthcare staff reported feeling more relaxed and refreshed when outside - benefits it hoped could transfer into patient care. One senior nurse from the county, who took part in the training, said they "never realised the true impact outdoors can have on an individual and team level"."[I] hope to see it being prescribed in the future as a treatment for certain health problems," they continued. The course, which is spread over five months and carries a formal training accreditation, suits professionals who support children, young people and adults. This includes social and youth workers, therapists and those working in family support, Natural England said. Some 36 NHS staff in Sussex have done the course since 2023.
Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Times
Pro-growth Labour MPs dismayed at concession to green ‘nimbys'
Pro-growth Labour MPs have reacted with dismay after the government promised to give environmental groups more power to block development. Ministers have put forward changes to their planning bill, which led to accusations from Labour backbenchers that they were 'backing the blockers not the builders'. However, conservationists have welcomed changes to a contentious planning bill which they fear will allow developers licence to bulldoze ecologically valuable sites. Sir Keir Starmer has made turbocharging infrastructure and housing central to his push for growth. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through parliament is designed to speed up big projects by allowing developers to pay to offset environmental damage. Ministers describe this as a 'win-win' which will help nature and the economy, but conservationists fear it will destroy environmental protections. At the same time, pro-growth Labour MPs fear plans for a 'nature restoration fund' will not do enough to stop projects being blocked by concerns about bats and newts. Privately some said that their 'worst fears about the bill had been confirmed' after the government put forward a series of amendments designed to placate environmental groups. Under the changes, the restoration fund can never be used to compensate for the loss of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodlands, chalk streams, peat bogs and wildflower meadows. Developers will only be permitted to destroy nature on-site when Natural England can show that its off-site nature restoration efforts will more than make up for the damage. Wildlife groups greeted the amendments with cautious approval. Richard Benwell, the chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: 'We're pleased the government has listened and made changes to address our concerns. Some sites and species should always be off the table for development and the amendments help ensure that irreplaceable habitats and vulnerable species will not be harmed.' Beccy Speight, the RSPB chief executive, said: 'We commend the government for the intent behind the amendments and the recognition of nature's value.' The amendments were also welcomed by the MP Chris Hinchcliff, who was this week suspended by Labour for organising a previous rebellion over the planning bill. He said the government had accepted the 'validity' of his concerns and that developers must deliver 'genuine improvements to the specific environmental features identified as at risk'. But a spokesman for the Labour Growth Group said that 'the bill could go much further to end the blockages in the planning system, while reversing Britain's economic and natural decline'. He argued for 'practical tweaks to make sure we can actually build the homes and infrastructure this country needs'. Labour Yimby, a development campaign group, said it was 'disappointed by the government's decision to concede to the nimby [not in my backyard] lobby on the planning reforms this government so desperately needs. For the first time, this Labour government is backing the blockers, not the builders.' Sam Richards, the chief executive of Britain Remade, a pro-infrastructure campaign group, said: 'The new amendments will make environmental development plans harder, slower, and more expensive to prepare,' he said. 'Opportunities for legal challenge will increase. More often than not infrastructure projects won't be covered and will have to fall back on an unreformed status quo. With Natural England in charge of delivery without direct ministerial oversight, we remain concerned that the bill will fail to consign the bat tunnels and fish discos to history.'Privately, planning experts expressed scepticism over whether Natural England would be able to approve a plan to offset environmental damage under the rules. 'I bet £1,000 it never happens,' said one.
