Environment Bill – Amendment 66 Ancient Woodlands – Perspective Please
The hot news update regarding the proposed change to the buffering of Ancient Woodlands, from 15m to 50m has been rejected, but will be given more protection within the NPFF. Is this good news? It is true that Veteran trees do not always exist on the edges of an Ancient…
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Reptile Translocations
We began moving reptiles from one of our sites to their new home a few weeks ago, and it’s a job that requires speed, accuracy and some nerve! In the last couple of weeks, we have successfully translocated over 60 juvenile and adult slow worms, as well as numerous grass…
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Developers have a chance to Take a Stand for Building Better Biodiverse Futures
Who do you think has greener credentials - farmers or developers. Seems obvious, but like so many things, the truth can be surprising. My last family home was a new developer’s house, and it had been recycled from a disused intensive pig farm, with an acre of concrete yard and…
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Big Savings From Natural Landscapes
I’ve heard many clients say – I hate wildflower - it doesn’t work and looks a mess: That’s “poppy-cock” to coin the pun. Getting great, biodiverse wildflower areas (poppy fields) that look really colourful and full of lovely wildflower, and no weeds or mess, is easy, simple and cheap: You…
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Revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on the 19th of February 2019. There are few major changes to the text - the revisions focus on clarification of key points. The main changes are as follows: Footnote 37,…
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Faversham, Bovis Homes, Plans Approved
James Blake Associates held considered, extensive communication with the Local Planning Authority to deliver a bio-diversely sensitive scheme, inclusive of native and locally appropriate wildflower areas, native tree species, and native hedges. The site includes a RNR (Roadside Nature Reserve) with mitigation planting to enhance the feature on the frontage. …
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Going Green Means Big Savings
At James Blake Associates we have been surveying trees and designing landscapes for developers for 30 years, but it was only in the last 8 years that we discovered how many common elements within standard landscape proposals add disproportionately to both build costs and maintenance costs. In light of this,…
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The Aylesbury Approach – Natural Garden Cities
Why we are doing it? This is ground-breaking, ecologically led, landscape design which is good for all parties. More biodiverse. More sustainable. Costs less to deliver. Faster to establish. Lower maintenance . Less costly to maintain. Preserves and sustains ecological systems. Produces healthier communities who are more in touch with…
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Green Light to Help Make London Greener
James Blake Associates recently got the green light to make a street in London, green. We have introduced more nature into the heart of London. This is nature enhanced, because we've included some exotic species, but only those that the invertebrates love, being scented and with nectar rich flowers, (and…
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