Flood Risk and Climate Change Adaption
Incidents on flooding and drought are increasing in their frequency – this is an inevitable consequence of climate change.
Developers need to factor flood risk and drainage strategies into their schemes, and this will be even more important as we deal with changing weather patterns and storm flows. Whilst the sector is used to dealing with flood risk assessments under the NPPF, more assessments and mitigation works will be required in those areas with a high flood risk.
How developments cope with drought and heat will also be critical in the future. Large scale developments such as sporting arenas and outdoor concert areas will need to provide shade for heat resilience, so once again, forward-thinking design will be at the heart of delivering sustainable developments.
Habitat and Wildlife Protection
Alongside headline grabbing newts and bats, there are many protected species and habitats which need careful consideration before a development can proceed. Understanding the development site and how it relates to neighbouring protected sites is critical to overcoming concerns about habitat and species loss. This is in addition to the biodiversity net gain requirements.
Works done without authorisation from Natural England could result in a criminal prosecution. Therefore caution must be applied – even those sites which may look derelict and overgrown with no immediate signs of life can hide bat roosts in fallen and decayed trees or buildings scheduled for demolition.
Species require surveys - both summer and winter – and at different times depending on the foraging and roosting tendencies which will require scheduling prior to the planning application process.
Environmental Regulation
The legislative framework regarding waste, pollution, the re-use of material and the water environment can be complex. Even the most diligent of organisations can find themselves being contacted by the regulatory authorities in relation to breaches which may not have been apparent. These bodies have powers of enforcement that could stop a development pending further investigations, or compel the removal of material which is classified as waste, thus causing significant delay and cost.
These breaches can also result in considerable financial penalties as well as reputational damage.