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The 6th Biodiversity and Planning Conference organised by Surrey Nature Partnerships on the theme of Policy to Practice: Delivering Nature Recovery was held at Dorking Halls on March 25th. While last year the hot topic was the Local Nature Recovery Strategy this year the focus was very much on the practicalities of implementing Biodiversity Net Gain in the context of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which has been designed to enable 1.5m new homes to be built over the next five years. The excellent and informative range of speakers and expert panels tackled topics such as: Spatial and Strategic Level Planning Strategic Land Management Framework Strategic Plan for Returning to Natural Processes in the Landscape Habitat Banks Surrey Nature Recovery Biodiversity Net Gain Biodiversity Duty BNG Metrics for Water and Wetlands Cockcrow – the UK’s first heathland bridge in Surrey  Not surprisingly, as a lay person I found some of the content heavy going and overly complex, but I managed to gain a number of impressions: 1 There is a massive amount change in the policy for planning world made even more complex in Surrey by Local Government Reorganisation. While SCC will be initially responsible for the implementation of the new NPPF it will eventually hand them over to the new Mayoral authority. 2 While the Local Nature Recovery Strategy will be a key policy to protect nature and guide planners in their decision making it is only one of 9 policies in the planning framework and decisions on planning have to integrate all dimensions of the framework. 3 Surrey has some unusual characteristics that will pose a challenge for planners. For example 74% of Surrey is in Greenbelt. 4 The new approach to planning is viewed as a strategic, vision-led approach which is intended to remove some of the politics in decision-making about new developments. 5 While there are opportunities to embed nature recovery at the start of the planning process there are concerns about the ability of local groups to influence decision-making. 6 Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to new development that aims to leave nature in a measurably better state than it was found. The Surrey Wildlife Trust Guide to BNG provides an excellent overview 1. While the intentions underlying BNG are admirable the policy is turning nature into a complex market place with new players entering the market and new concepts like Habitat Banks being introduced. My overarching take away is that we are living in exciting times from a planning perspective. The push for growth is the new mantra itand sitting alongside this is our urgent need to protect nature and enable nature to flourish. There is a real tension between ECONOMIC GROWTH & PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT and only time will tell if the new policy framework will be implemented in a way that balances these very different needs. A conference should help you develop your understanding and expose you to new ideas, which this conference certainly did. But I’m disappointed if I’m not inspired by one new thought or insight. The little gem I took away from this conference was the idea shared by Tom Crawshaw of being a good ancestor. The Māori concept of being a good ancestor is deeply rooted in the idea of ‘kaitiakitanga’, which means guardianship and stewardship. It involves caring for the environment, preserving cultural heritage, and making choices that benefit future generations. I like this idea very much and feel the need and ambition to be a good ancestor should be deeply ingrained into our culture. And this thought triggered my new insight. It is all very well having an enormous, multidimensional framework for planning and decision-making for new developments, and of course nature and environment have to be a fundamental feature of the framework, BUT underpinning this toolbox for planners there needs to be a CULTURE that connects us, in a profound way, to the idea of being a good ancestor. While GROWTH is writ large in the planning world, there was little mention in this conference of the ways we GROW & SUSTAIN such a culture through the educational, family and community environments that enable us to learn and develop as individuals, communities and societies. This is where we can all play our part, as teachers, parents, grandparents and members of our communities, in contributing to a more sustainable future by being and becoming a good ancestor. In our own small way, our 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative provides us with a vehicle for growing our own culture for being and becoming a good ancestor in the particular place we call home. Norman Jackson 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative Reference 1 BNG Explained -Surrey Wildlife Trust 
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One of the most important things we can do as adults is encourage the younger generations to learn about and respect nature and educate them in ways that will motivate them to do something to help nature. Schools have an important role to play in educating children to understand nature and why people have both a moral and pragmatic responsibility to help wildlife thrive. North Downs School in Betchworth has a strong commitment to outdoor education. The school believes that,”all children have the right to experience the unique and special nature of being outdoors. We feel that it is important to enable children to use the outside environment as a context for learning. We are always seeking to use our grounds creatively, developing areas into outdoor learning spaces for classes to use.” The school has joined the National Education Nature Park (NENP) which is trying to connect all the green spaces that are associated with educational institutions in the UK and involve children in learning about nature. More than this, the initiative encourages children to take action to improve biodiversity in their local area and see and record the results of their actions.  The 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative aims to increase and improve habitats for wildlife and enhance biodiversity in and around the villages of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill. The team of volunteers is always on the lookout for projects it can assist with and following discussions with Rona Ottaway (N Downs Outdoor Education Teacher), it was agreed that the initiative would create a Wildlife Habitats Garden to provide a resource for teaching about the ways in which we can help wildlife flourish. The garden was finished last week just in time for the school to use it in its Action for Nature Day. About 30 children were involved in the event and 2 members of the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative team helped to introduce the different habitats in the garden. We were impressed by the interest the children took in each of the habitats and the animals that might make use of the habitat and the considerable knowledge that some of the older children had developed about our wildlife. This movie shows the different habitats we created. The Wildlife Gardening Forum celebrates its 20th anniversary as the UK’s only charity devoted to wildlife gardening. A recent blog post by Steve Head (Founder of the Forum) identified some of the major steps forward for garden wildlife that have happened in the last two decades and also some of the challenges that have arisen or remain. Ten achievements in the last 20 years, and ten problems still to crack:
Achievements
Problems to crack
Where are we heading? I would like to think that, in the coming years, we will see gardens legally recognised as conservation assets and included in Biodiversity Net Gain calculations. It also would be great to see curbs to the concreting of gardens and use of plastic grass and garden lighting at night. We don't seek to prohibit them, but there must be mitigation for the damage they cause and surely the evidence shows us that the time has come for a big shift away from pesticides. Plus we need the 1.5 million new homes being planned to be designed in a way that helps homeowners to make their most of their space for wildlife. Climate change will really begin to show its teeth. And it would be good to see even more recognition of the health benefits of gardens and their wildlife. Given that gardens and parks are the access to nature closest to home, this is a topic that we think will become ever more important in people’s lives.
We are delighted to announce the publication of a new interactive map containing information about biodiversity in the 4Bs. The map has been created by Simon Humphreys as part of the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative.
The map shows important places to see wildlife, SSSIs and the sites of wildlife habitat and biodiversity projects being supported by the Initiative. It shows opportunities for volunteering, local environmental groups, major landowners and the locations of outdoor wildlife educational opportunities. The intention is to update the map as new wildlife projects and opportunities emerge. If you have information that you feel should be included please let us know by emailing biodiversityinitiative1@gmail.com
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To access the map, click on the link below
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1u_wrcBm02kt-_EnDzpnijPFqDywHB7M&ll=51.23775260340388%2C-0.28022898950363473&z=14 You can also access the map via the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative website https://www.biodiversitypark.uk/inventory.html This webpage also contains reports of projects and surveys. Simon is Surrey Wildlife Trusts Voluntary Reserve Manager at the Dawcombe and Fraser Down Nature Reserves. Simon is also a Trustee of Surrey Wildlife Trust and a member of the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative Facilitation Team. |
4Bs Nature Group BlogThis blog is maintained by the 4Bs Biodiversity Initiative Team. Its purpose is to provide brief updates of activities and encourage the sharing of experiences and learning. We welcome guests and contributions from members of the 4Bs WhatsApp Nature Group and wider community. To contribute a post please email the editor at biodiversityinititiative1 @gmail.com PagesArchives
July 2025
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