Connecting the South East Alan Law, Chief Officer, Strategy & Reform Natural England

The Future The environment is an integral part of infrastructure A strategic shift from ‘constraints’ to ‘opportunities’ ‘A Green Future: Government’s 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’ De-risk the planning system, through early discussion on options, regulatory requirements and strategic solutions – Outcome sought – to reduce costs and delays Example – District level licensing Develop approaches that deliver measurable biodiversity net gains that optimise wider environmental gains – Outcome sought – Optimise the gains from investment in biodiversity to deliver wider environmental gains Example – working with major transport infrastructure delivery bodies, such as Highways England and Network Rail Demonstrate how the natural assets and green infrastructure of the South-East are critical for delivering connectivity, place-making and economic growth Outcome sought – more prosperous places to live, learn and work, with benefits for transport infrastructure resilience and performance, carbon reduction, clean air, flood risk management, health and wellbeing and the visitor economy Example – strategic development of inter-city green growth corridors and gateways

How Natural England can help Working in partnership to: De-risk the planning system, through early discussion on options, regulatory requirements and strategic solutions Develop approaches to deliver measurable biodiversity net gains that optimise wider environmental gains Demonstrate how the natural assets and green infrastructure of the South-East are critical for delivering connectivity, place-making and economic growth

Net gain – maximising opportunities Local Strategic Secure in local plans – critical to getting developers on board Wider strategic opportunities – investment mechanism

Case study one: Bird Aware Solent The Bird Aware Solent Definitive Strategy was recently adopted by 15 Local Planning Authorities around the Solent 10 years of strategic partnership working, awareness raising and relationship building by a range of partners including Natural England The strategic mitigation will enable delivery of 60,000 houses by 2036, all in close proximity to the coastal Special Protection Areas Offset impacts of recreational pressure on the internationally important overwintering birds of the Solent coast until 2111

Thames Basin Heaths

\Case study two: Lower Thames Crossing £6billion road scheme- increase road capacity by 70% and add £billions of investment to the economy  NE sought to ensure the environment is part of the infrastructure discussion Worked with Highways England to secure a tunnel scheme protecting the Thames Estuary and Marshes Special Protection Area from direct impacts  design the access road in Kent to avoid direct impacts to an ancient woodland SSSI Proactive engagement with HE design team (and other partners) to realise their environmental legacy aspirations

@hwysuk @NaturalEngland #ctse