"It is good that the Environmental Audit Committee’s report recognises that the Government should prioritise effective implementation of net gain into the planning system."
Responding to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on biodiversity and ecosystems, Cllr David Renard, Environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:
“Councils are central to ensuring our communities and businesses are empowered to reach a net zero future.
“It is good that the Environmental Audit Committee’s report recognises that the Government should prioritise effective implementation of net gain into the planning system. It is important that any unspent financial credits from developers are retained by councils, so that funding stays in the area where development has taken place.
“The skills shortage in ecologists is a worrying barrier to achieving our biodiversity net gain goals, with currently only one third of planning authorities in England having access to their own ‘in house’ ecologist.
“In order to support local government in its role of leading places and providing a greener future, councils and businesses must continue to work with government to establish a national framework for addressing the climate emergency, including tackling biodiversity loss.”