Planning and development

We need to ensure that all development results in a net gain for wildlife and that we are creating new communities which are rich in wildlife. These pages include links to Devon guidance as well as other useful guidance and best practice. To add links or case studies please email nature@devon.gov.uk.


Devon Guidance and Strategies

Building on soil sustainability: principles for soils in planning and construction. Written by the Landscape Institute and Cornwall County Council.

Wildlife and Geology Planning guidance – Devon County Council wildlife pages have information on Devon Wildlife Guidance, Protected species, Ecological Consultants etc.

Information on Biodiversity Net Gain to be added soon…

Devon Green Infrastructure Strategy – The guiding principles of Devon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy promote a joined-up approach to planning and delivery of green infrastructure.

Devon Landscape and Planning Guidance – led by the Devon Landscape Policy Group

Teignbridge Green Infrastructure Strategy

South Hams / Torbay Green Infrastructure Strategy


Other useful links

Green Infrastructure

A high rise building covered in plants

Guide to building sustainably – The Royal Institute of British Architects guide to meeting UN sustainable development goals while achieving net-zero.

Demystifying green infrastructure – This report published by the UK Green Building Council introduces green infrastructure and it’s importance

Green infrastructure lessons from best practice – A number of case study insights into green infrastructure decision making.

Nature based solutions to improve building performance – This report compiles a range of evidence to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can support climate change mitigation, resource use, nature and biodiversity and human factors.

Green Infrastructure Resource Library by Brillianto – an extensive list of links to best practice documents, case studies, tools etc.

Short animation on Green Infrastructure and local benefits it can bring.

Ecosystems Knowledge Network – an excellent resource on the benefits of an ecosystems approach to people and nature.

Green Infrastructure – Archived Defra pages

Green Infrastructure – Landscape, Landscape Institute

Green Infrastructure – Archived, Natural England

Sustainable urban drainage systems

Links to Devon guidance to be added

Sustainable drainage systems – This guide written by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust provides principles for designing SuDS for people and wildlife

Other

Green roofs – The green roof code of best practice created by the Green Roof Organisation discusses the design considerations for designing roofs for wildlife in the UK.

Convincing clients to go green – A blog selling the benefits of sustainable design, in builds of all types

The role of the built environment in a green economic recovery – The built environment has a key role in supporting an environmentally friendly recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.


Case Studies

Please send any to nature@devon.gov.uk