Legal experts from Thrings’ Bristol-based planning and environment team joined property developers, planners and architects at an event exploring the impact of biodiversity net gain (BNG).
The gathering of 30-plus experts covered a range of related topics, including how the concept – which aims to ensure the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development – affects landowners, developers and planning authorities across the West of England.
Organised by the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Wiltshire Young Planners group and staged at Thrings’ Swindon office, the event looked at how BNG is affecting the region’s planning and development sectors.
Thrings associate Stanton, pictured, and solicitor Harvey Davies spoke at the event alongside Mark Campbell, a director in the Bristol office of planning consultancy DLP, and Aaron Smith of Wiltshire consultants Master Land and Planning.
RTPI Wiltshire Young Planners chair Hollie Sturgess said: “Encouraging biodiversity net gain is an ever-growing priority for everyone, from local communities to national governments, and it was clear from the event that it is something the planning world is eager to learn more about.
“I want to thank our speakers for sharing their expertise with the audience and to Thrings for hosting and sponsoring our event today, which has brought together so many people from across the sector to discuss this important topic.”
Kiran Maher, a solicitor in Thrings’ planning and environment team and co-organiser of the event, added: “The responsibility for developers and local authorities to deliver a positive contribution to nature has never been greater and it was good to see the next generation of planners in attendance today taking the issue so seriously.
“It has been great to have organised this seminar with the Wiltshire Young Planners and I look forward to the prospect of working with them on future events.”
Thrings’ planning and environment lawyers have extensive experience in navigating complex local and national planning policy legislation and have successfully supported commercial and residential applications through the approval and appeal processes.
Thrings also has offices in Bath, London, Lydney, Romsey and Ross-on-Wye.
