Defra have seeking views on proposals to make biodiversity net gain necessary for developments when granting planning permission. Biodiversity net gain is an approach which aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand. In particular, they’re interested in hearing views on: - standardising the approach so that it’s simpler and clearer for developers - whether they should add this requirement - how they could implement the net gain approach - how they should measure and monitor the net gain approach They’re also seeking evidence on how they could also include other environmental improvements. Please visit their page here to complete the questionnaire. https://consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use/net-gain/

In spring 2019, Highways England will announce its preferred route for the A417 ‘missing link’ which will aim to improve the road at Brockworth and Cowley. This will have an impact on sites managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Cotswold Conservation Board and they are working hard to ensure the A417 scheme is landscape-led and delivers gains for wildlife. If you have any questions or concerns for Highways England, you can join their project team for a monthly web chat from 12:30pm until 1:30pm on the last Wednesday of every month. Just log on at the foot of the page linked below on the day of the web chat and submit your questions. Here are the dates and times for sessions over the next few months: Wednesday 31 October 2018, 12:30-1:30pm Wednesday 28 November 2018, 12:30-1:30pm Wednesday 30 January 2019, 12:30-1:30pm Wednesday 27 February 2019, 12:30-1:30pm https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a417-missing-link / If you would like to share any information with partners relating to the A417 please do comment below and share links, however, whilst we have a vested interest to ensure the very best decisions are made for our natural environment, the LNP themselves are no longer actively engaged in this matter and is being led by the partners mentioned above.

The GLNP created a Pledge that sought to hold developers, local authorities and other organisations to account when it came to new developments or regeneration projects, to ensure that high quality green infrastructure is being appropriately considered within policy guidance and implemented across the county for the benefit of our communities, our economy and our natural environment. You can view the pledge below. We are looking for partners to actively promote the pledge to their contacts and partners, and indeed to sign the pledge to commit their own organisations to pioneering a safe and sustainable future for the county. I'll share updated on who has signed up here, but please comment if your own organisation wishes to sign as well as thoughts of who we should be targeting.