We have two pieces of news to share with you from the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres (ALERC).
Unlocking better planning decisions for nature
ALERC represents a UK-wide network of 52 Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) that provide biodiversity information services to support local and regional planning decision-making. Following concern that a significant number of planning applications, which should be informed by professionally qualified ecologists and underpinned by robust, site-appropriate evidence, are being submitted for planning permission and approved without either, ALERC undertook some analysis.
This analysis highlighted that appropriate ecological evidence is absent in the majority of planning applications.
The results demonstrate that many planning applications do not consider biodiversity evidence when they should, despite statutory requirements such as the strengthened biodiversity duty in the Environment Act 2021 and the biodiversity net gain provisions in Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. ALERC believes that raising awareness and improving collaboration between those involved in development and environmental impact management will lead to better consideration of biodiversity in planning and ultimately better outcomes for nature and people.
The fact sheet and full results can be read here.
Recorder 6 Licences 2026
As we enter the new financial year, this is a reminder that all Recorder 6 licences and any queries relating to them should now be directed to ALERC.
Information on the licences and support information can be found on the ALERC website.