Prime Minister Boris Johnson has introduced a range of strict measures to help stop and curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the country, as of Tuesday 24th March. Many businesses have been impacted as a result of these precautionary measures, with most moving to remote and flexible working, working together and supporting others through this tough time.
We hope you are well and finding a way to cope in these unprecedented times. We wanted to reassure you that NatureSpace is still open and operating – and we stand by ready to help you and your client. We are working closely with all our planning authorities, as well as our colleagues in the Newt Conservation Partnership, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation trust, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, NatureMetrics as well as Natural England to ensure we are up to date with all the latest information.
The planning system is still operating, and the Government is keen for this to continue, especially where it will support the local economy. In his final Planning Update letter, the Chief Planner, Steve Quartermain CBE sets out that it is “important that authorities continue to provide the best service possible”, and asks planning authorities to take “an innovative approach, using all options available”.
We have produced a round-up of useful weblinks to provide all the information you need.
Government
Corona virus updates – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Corona guidance for employers and business- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Local Government Planning Authorities we work with
Aylesbury Vale District Council – https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Bedford Borough Council – https://www.bedford.gov.uk/social-care-health-and-community/public-health/coronavirus/
Central Bedfordshire Council – https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/44/planning/748/coronavirus_planning
Cheltenham Borough Council – https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/12/planning_and_development/1588/covid-19_planning_information_and_guidance
Cherwell District Council – https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/9/planning-and-building/676/planning-and-building—covid-19-service-impact
Cotswold District Council – https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/planning-and-building/coronavirus-planning-and-building/
Forest of Dean District Council – https://www.fdean.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/coronavirus-planning-building/
Gloucester City Council – https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/community-living/advice-on-covid-19/
Gloucester County Council – https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/advice-on-covid-19/
Milton Keynes Council – https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/your-council-and-elections/coronavirus-changes-to-council-services
Oxford City Council – https://www.oxford.gov.uk/coronavirus
South Northamptonshire Council – https://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/info/9/planning-and-building
South Oxfordshire District Council – http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building
Stroud District Council – https://www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/planning-and-building-control/coronavirus
Tewkesbury Borough Council – https://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/planning
West Oxfordshire District Council – https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/planning-and-building/coronavirus-planning-and-building/
Vale of White Horse District Council – http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building
Ecological
Natural England – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/operational-update-covid-19
CIEEM – https://cieem.net/i-am/covid-19/cv19-advice-for-members/
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust – https://www.arc-trust.org/news/coronavirus
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK – https://www.arguk.org/get-involved/news/please-read-our-latest-advice-concerning-the-covid-19-outbreak
Planning
RTPI – https://www.rtpi.org.uk/news/coronavirus/
PINS – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-planning-inspectorate-guidance
RICS – https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/coronavirus-and-rics-events/
Planning Portal – https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications
Savills – https://www.savills.co.uk/insight-and-opinion/savills-news/298301/covid-19–implications-for-planning
Planning Officers Society – https://www.planningofficers.org.uk/news/dm-decision-making–covid-19
Planning
Construction News – https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/tag/Coronavirus/
Construction Enquirer – https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/03/19/coronavirus-update-for-construction/
Chartered Institute of Builders – https://www.ciob.org/coronavirus-and-ciob
Federation of Master Builders –https://www.fmb.org.uk/about-the-fmb/policy-and-public-affairs/responding-to-coronavirus-covid-19/
All advice is continuously being updated in respect to new government information and guidance. These weblinks outline where to find most comprehensive information for each sector.
For more information on how NatureSpace could help support you during this time please contact Info@naturespaceuk.com
