by westoncompliance | Apr 16, 2026 | Biodiversity, Consultation, Defra, Habitat, Onshore, Planning, UK, Wildlife
Defra has published the outcome of a consultation it ran on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).BNG creates and improves natural habitats. BNG ensures development has a measurably...
by westoncompliance | Apr 2, 2026 | Licensing, Natural England, UK, Wildlife
Natural England has updated the guidance on licencing to control wild birds for air safety, conservation, and public health and safety with a link to the new online form to apply for a licence to kill, take or disturb wild birds (A08 and A09). This replaces the...
by westoncompliance | Mar 27, 2026 | Birds, DESNZ, Environment, OPRED, UK, Wildlife
DESNZ and OPRED have updated the guidance section ‘Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017’ with a new advisory note entitled ‘Wild Birds (Nesting) Advice Note’.The note has been published to provide clear guidance...
by westoncompliance | Jan 23, 2026 | Environment, Habitat, Natural England, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Natural England has updated the guidance regarding licenses to control wild birds for air safety, conservation, public health and safety by updating the wording to make it clear that Natural England, rather than Defra, are now responsible for general licences for...
by westoncompliance | Dec 19, 2025 | Defra, Environment, JNCC, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Defra has published the decision responding to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s seventh quinquennial review of species protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, choosing not to adopt the JNCC’s recommended changes to add, remove or re-grade...
by westoncompliance | Sep 26, 2025 | Environment, MMO, Noise, OPRED, UK, Wildlife
OPRED is requesting information from developers planning impulsive noise-generating activities (like piling, UXO clearance, or geophysical surveys) in or near the Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SNS SAC) during Winter 2025–2026 or Summer 2026. This...
by westoncompliance | Aug 5, 2025 | Environment, MMO, Noise, OPRED, UK, Wildlife
OPRED is requesting information from developers planning impulsive noise-generating activities (like piling, UXO clearance, or geophysical surveys) in or near the Southern North Sea Special Area of Conservation (SNS SAC) during Winter 2025–2026 or Summer 2026. This...
by westoncompliance | Jul 28, 2025 | Environment, Licensing, Natural England, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Natural England has moved the detailed information about when a reasoned statement is needed from this page to the following relevant licence pages:bat mitigation licence (A13) great crested newt mitigation licence (A14) hazel dormouse mitigation licence...
by westoncompliance | Jul 24, 2025 | Defra, Environment, Natural England, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Natural England and Defra regulations protect uncultivated, semi-natural and rural land.Clarification has been added on hedgerow management rules for buffer strips.Read more…Source: Natural England, Defra.
by westoncompliance | Jul 17, 2025 | Environment, MMO, Renewables, Surveying, UK, Wildlife, Wind Energy
The MMO has published new guidance aimed at standardising post‑consent environmental monitoring for offshore wind farms in English waters.The guidance outlines a unified methodology for survey completion and data management across six key environmental receptors...
by westoncompliance | Jul 14, 2025 | Environment, Marine, MMO, Renewables, UK, Wildlife
The MMO has developed interactive WebApps to support its assessment of Stage 4 MPAs, to help stakeholders understand potential management options and share their views.Read more…Source: MMO.
by westoncompliance | Jun 18, 2025 | Environment, Marine, MMO, UK, Wildlife
The MMO has updated its guidance on protected seahorse species and published a new seagrass and seahorse diving guidance note to help safeguard vital marine habitats. The aim is to enhance protection for seahorses and sensitive seagrass beds, which are crucial...
by westoncompliance | Jun 17, 2025 | Environment, Licensing, Natural England, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Natural England has refreshed its “Water voles: advice for making planning decisions” guidance, offering updated standing advice for local planning authorities in England when water voles may be present on or near development sites.The document outlines key steps...
by westoncompliance | May 29, 2025 | Biodiversity, Consultation, Defra, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Defra has launched a new consultation on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).BNG creates and improves natural habitats. BNG ensures development has a measurably positive impact...
by westoncompliance | May 19, 2025 | Environment, Natural England, Onshore, UK, Wildlife
Natural England has removed forms regarding applying for licences to take, kill or disturb wild birds, and have published them on a separate page.You can find that page here: Report your actions and renew your licence: A08 or A09Read more…Source: Natural...
by westoncompliance | May 2, 2025 | JNCC, Natural England, NatureScot, UK, Wildlife
JNCC, Natural England, NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – Northern Ireland Environment Agency have today published ‘The status of UK SPAs in the 2000s: the Third Network Review (Phase...
by westoncompliance | Apr 28, 2025 | DESNZ, JNCC, Offshore Installation, OPRED, Surveying, UK, Wildlife
DESNZ and OPRED have added an updated JNCC advice note for seabird survey methods on offshore installations to the guidance section for ‘Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017’ on the oil and gas: offshore environmental...
by westoncompliance | Apr 16, 2025 | BEIS, Conservation, DESNZ, OPRED, UK, Wildlife
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have added additional guidance documents to the section entitled...
by westoncompliance | Apr 8, 2025 | Defra, Development, Environment, Licensing, Natural England, Onshore, Planning, Surveying, UK, Wildlife
Natural England and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have updated the guidance for how to assess a planning application when there are protected species on or near a proposed development site.This update includes the following...
by westoncompliance | Mar 17, 2025 | Defra, UK, Wildlife
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have updated the section on ivory to include ivory from common hippopotamuses, killer whales, narwhals and sperm whales.Read more…Source: APHA, Defra.
