24 THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Larger areas of wildlife habitat will increasingly feature on new housing developments like this Meadfl eet open space in Cheshire
Formal areas alongside wildfl owers such as this Meadfl eet development will be more typical with biodiversity net gain requirements
housing developments, with small and medium sied developers likely to be most affected.
A SOLUTION
hrough our discussions with developers, we’ve been able to highlight the pros and cons of different solutions, both at a high level and in detail. or example, the purchase of adacent land for onsite offsetting might seem a straightforward solution, but it comes with challenges. hould it have public access and what implications does this bring in terms of increased maintenance costs lso, the effect of additional areas on baseline calculations must be considered. here is also the question of long-term funding of on and offsite solutions. e are involved in proects with a range of scenarios, including resident contribution and commuted sum solutions, or a mix of the two. Meadfl eet already applies many of the principles on the developments we manage across ngland and ales. e have the inhouse expertise to review detailed ecological assessments and calculations and provide feedback, and to undertake the monitoring and adaptive management techniques required to ensure habitat targets are met over the -year period.
LIFETIME MANAGEMENT
here are understandable concerns in the housebuilding market regarding the long-term responsibility of a -year covenant, and selecting the right management model to entrust with the new requirements.
here is a need for a lifetime management solution that can take
MINDSETS istorically, open spaces contained formal mown grass areas and ornamental shrub beds, but now we are seeing the addition of features such as wildfl ower meadows and wildlife-friendly u. hese require a different management approach to ensure they successfully
on the liability and complexity of the requirements involved. here are already many aspects of open space management that require specialist expertise including play areas, woodlands, and u. ith members of the public accessing open spaces, risks must be carefully managed. ith the addition of and the crucial role the legislation will play in providing spaces for nature, it is vital that these areas are managed by experienced open space experts. elf-management may seem to offer more choice and input, but the reality is often complex systems resulting in higher charges, inactivity, and confusion. irectors are burdened with legal and administrative issues including enforcement action which could leave them liable. his casts doubt as to whether the resident management model can ensure the successful delivery of . lifetime management model with in-house expertise to manage all aspects of open space features obectively and responsibly, over the long-term, is designed to ensure a developer’s legacy is protected and risks minimised. evelopers should look for long-standing organisations with a proven reputation for excellence and expertise and the in- house specialist knowledge required. his approach also helps reduce customer costs and provides clear lines of accountability.
achieve their intended purpose however this can lead to queries as to why areas have been left unmanaged,’ and suggestions that this should result in reduced costs to customers.
ducation and engagement are crucial to alter perceptions of what open spaces will look like. ver recent years we’ve been voluntarily improving our open spaces for biodiversity and engaging customers and communities in this ourney. ur wildlife-focused campaigns and partnerships with biodiversity charities have been important tools in achieving this.
emonstrating how biodiverse open spaces will enrich the local environment to prospective purchasers from the beginning of the customer ourney is key to the ongoing mindset towards open space delivery. xamples include information leafl ets to ensure early engagement, customer newsletters, and resources to fully engage with residents for the lifetime of the development.
FINAL THOUGHTS he benefi t that biodiversity net gain will have to the current climate and biodiversity crisis is exponential, and aligning the industry with the overnment’s targets will more fi rmly place sustainability at the centre of future development.
hrough a collaborative solution-based approach and the positive promotion of the initiatives in proects, we can help create a future where customers seek to live in a biodiverse neighbourhood, and where developers are applauded for providing it.
David King is managing director of Meadfl eet
THE MARKETPLACE FOR THE PURCHASE OF OFFSITE UNITS GENERATED BY THIRD PARTY LANDOWNERS IS UNCLEAR, WITH NO FORMAL CENTRAL DATABASE EXISTING
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