Environmental Interpretation: the importance of saying it right
An often forgotten part of delivering the aims of a conservation project or a conservation site is telling the wider-world about what’s going on. Getting the interpretation right is essential in the promotion of an organisation’s commitment to biodiversity, and can help to raise that organisation’s environmental profile. Continue reading
Bats in the… blast furnace?
Baker Shepherd Gillespie (BSG) recently provided advice for a lottery-funded project to preserve a blast furnace in the Royal Forest of Dean, an area renowned for its industrial heritage. Continue reading
LABELS: bat surveys, bats, common pipistrelle, ecological surveys, European Protected Species (EPS), Forest of Dean, historic buildings, lesser horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bats, Licence lottery-funded, Overlooking the Wye (OTW), roosting bats, Stephanie Boocock, Wye Valley AONB
Planning, law and ecology – all change!
Proposals to significantly change the planning and regulatory systems are currently under consideration; however, any new approach in respect of ecology is unlikely to be resolved quickly. Continue reading
LABELS: Baker Shepherd Gillespie, biodiversity, Derbyshire, Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Kirsty Kirkham, local authorities, Local Plans, ODPM Circular 06/2005, Planning, planning policy, Species Regulations 2010, The Conservation of Habitats, wildlife legislation
Cheverton Down Wind Farm – Review of appeal decision
Dr Peter Shepherd (BSG Partner) was asked to give evidence on behalf of the appellant as the impact on bats was a main issue at this public inquiry. As part of our on-going analysis of wind farm appeal decisions, a review of the Cheverton Down Wind Farm inquiry is presented in an article, written by Dr Shepherd, which includes comments and observations on the appeal decision (issued on 30 August 2011). Continue reading
LABELS: appeal decisions, bats, Cheverton Down, Dr Peter Shepherd, EIA, guidelines, onshore, Planning, public inquiry, wind farms, wind turbines
Principal Consultant – Oxford Office
If you are thinking of applying for the Principal Consultant position at Baker Shepherd Gillespie’s Oxford office, you have a week left to submit your application. Continue reading
LABELS: Baker Shepherd Gillespie recruitment, BSG Ecology, BSG Oxford, careers, Principal Ecological Consultant
Biodiversity Planning Toolkit
The Biodiversity Planning Toolkit is a new online resource designed to facilitate the incorporation of biodiversity into the planning system and new development at an early stage within the UK. The Toolkit has been created and launched by the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) working in partnership with a wide range of conservation and planning organisations. Continue reading
LABELS: Biodiversity Planning Toolkit, conservation of biodiversity, Conversion of Rural Buildings, Director, Householder Applications and Green Infrastructure, Kirsty Kirkham, Local Government Ecologists (ALGE), Mike Oxford, Residential Development, Wind Farm Development
The GRO Green Roof Code
Previously green roof designers have had to rely heavily on European or North American technical guidance when devising the structure and specification of green roofs. Although a wealth of information is available from outside the UK, none relates directly to recognised British Standards. Continue reading
LABELS: British Standards, Environment Agency, Green Roof Best Practice, Green Roof Code, GRO (Green Roof Organisation), Groundwork Sheffield, Homes and Communities Agency, Living Roofs.org, Philippa Harvey, Principal Ecologist, The Green Roof Centre, University of Sheffield
Dr Peter Shepherd presents paper at RenewableUK
BSG was once again present at our stand at the Renewables UK conference this year in Manchester. Dr Peter Shepherd presented a paper to the conference session on ecological evidence titled “A Review of Ecological Issues at Wind Farm Public Inquiry Decisions”. The paper arose out of research Peter undertook in support of appearances over the last few years as an expert witness for appellants at public inquiries into wind farm applications. Continue reading
Recruiting: Principal Consultant – Oxford Office
Baker Shepherd Gillespie is now recruiting a Principal Consultant for its Oxford office. The successful candidate will: provide evidence of practical field skills and an understanding of ecological principles; demonstrate clear thinking about the policy, legislative and political drivers that shape our professional advice; and have excellent client-facing and management skills. The ability to produce clear, unambiguous verbal and written advice to clients and co-professionals is essential. Continue reading
LABELS: Baker Shepherd Gillespie recruitment, BSG Oxford, Principal Ecological Consultant
The importance of parks to people and wildlife
Dr Peter Shepherd recently took part in a series of interviews for a new exhibition at the Brussels Natural History Museum. The interviews are screened as part of a new exhibit at the museum on urban biodiversity. Peter’s contribution to the exhibition is about the wildlife found in urban parks. Continue reading