Work to improve biodiversity across Lichfield and Burntwood has won an award.
Lichfield District Council scooped the Local Government Changing the Way We Work prize for its efforts to encourage conservation.
The local authority’s ecology team worked to develop a model which helps to form part of the planning process in the area, ensuring developers commit to off-set any potential loss of natural habitat.
The ‘net gain’ scheme also aims to create or protect natural spaces within developments.
Justine Lloyd, ecology manager who accepted the award on behalf of the council, said:
“I was really pleased the council has been highlighted for its commitment to safeguarding the district’s natural environment.
“In designing our net gains system, we wanted to make it easy for developers to understand, that it would not over-burden officers, that it ensures measurable net gains, and allows our planning system to support ecological work.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response over the past year from all levels of government and have been working to show how we can protect the natural environment, while encouraging sustainable development.”
Justine Lloyd, Lichfield District Council
The introduction of the model has led to requests from across the country for training and advice on how to improve biodiversity outcomes to be delivered by the team at Lichfield District Council.
