On the 10th November 2021 the Environment Act was passed into law. This is an incredibly significant event which places a duty on Developers to stop the decline in numbers of species and provide habitats for nature by mandating a 10% gain in biodiversity. Apart from its potential impact on biodiversity, the Act brings in sweeping responsibilities for broader sustainability. A new Office for Environmental Protection is now running (it has been a non-statutory body since July but is now statutory) and will have an overarching power to ensure the delivery of the Act. This clearly carries significant weight in any development within the Forum Plan Area and one which the Local Planning Authority must abide by and get used to very quickly. See the links below for an outline of the Act.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-leading-environment-act-becomes-law
https://www.endsreport.com/article/1732807/environment-act-2021-45-things-need-know
Environment Focus Group