Planners often get a bad press, but the current BBC2 series The Planners paints them in a sympathetic light. As a former local government planner myself, I know what it’s like to deal with objecting neighbours, applicants who won’t negotiate, and council members who make strange decisions. I left the world of development management a long time ago, but seeing the neighbour’s ‘overshadowing’ extension, the brownfield site a long way from anywhere and the listed building application brought it all back.
I have nothing but admiration for the people on the front line of the planning system. It’s often a thankless task, but they are key to protecting special places. But apart from a couple of domestic hedge incidents, few cases so far have involved nature. An exception was a much-loved local green space in a Gloucestershire village which included a rather fine walnut tree. I wonder if the residents have thought of getting it designated under the new-style local green space designation in a neighbourhood or local plan?
The most interesting item of fauna to star didn’t actually seem to exist - episode one featured some local residents searching a pond hoping to find a great crested newt in order to thwart an unpopular housing development.
I don’t know if there was any significant nature interest on that site. But don’t get down on your hands and knees looking for newts – you would be liable for prosecution if you don’t have a licence for handling a protected species. If you find yourself in a similar situation, find a local wildlife expert, contact the local wildlife trust, or look at our Local Planning Pack, which provides more information on how to protect a local wildlife site near you.
Planning for nature isn’t just about protecting what’s there, though. It could be about providing enhancements. How many of the developers shown thought about including swift boxes, for example? The redevelopment of the lead works in Chester (episode 4) would be a great opportunity. Exeter City Council have been leading the way in showing what can be done for swifts, with encouragement from the RSPB and Devon Wildlife Trust.
If you’ve missed The Planners, catch-up on iPlayer. And meanwhile, here’s to some more planning, naturally.