Environmental Services

Biodiversity Net Gain

Lambert & Foster work with Land Owners and Developers to provide Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sites across the south east. From November 2023, all new development in the UK will be required to create a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain either on or off site.

Whether you a Landowner, Developer or Council, we can help. Get in touch today using the forms below.

Natural Capital

The Government defines Natural Capital as being the “elements of nature that have value to society, such as forests, fisheries, rivers, biodiversity, land and minerals”. The creation and enhancement of Natural Capital has always had a value, but it is increasingly monetised, examples of which include; developers paying to offset to achieve their Biodiversity Net Gain target, water companies paying for changes to land use, farming practices to protect water catchments, or large private sector businesses seeking to manage their carbon footprint.

Lambert & Foster have a wealth of experience in managing changing land uses, negotiating long term land management agreements and acting for buyers and sellers of land. We are therefore well placed to support our clients as Natural Capital markets evolve.

Environmental Land Mangement

Lambert & Foster has a wealth of experience in advising land owners on how to access government payments for managing land in a prescribed way. This is now in the form of the Environmental Land Management Scheme, providing opportunities under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which encourages sustainable farming practices, and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), which provides financial incentives for improving the environment through, for example, creating new habitats. 

In addition to the advice we are able to offer on accessing these government payments, our farm business consultancy team are able to offer practical advice on the creation of these habitats. Whether that be to satisfy the requirements of the CSS, or for the creation of new habitats to deliver BNG credits.

Environmental Grants

The area of Rural and Environmental Grants is continually evolving. Typically, there will be grants available for projects that improve the environment, increase the productivity of farming and forestry, and grow the rural economy. Lambert & Foster have had great success in securing grants for our clients. If you have a project in mind, talk to our rural professional team as there may be local or national funding opportunities available.

Carbon Auditing/ Offsetting

The carbon footprint of a business or enterprise identifies the quantity and source of the greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). Businesses with a low carbon footprint are often more efficient and therefore more profitable. Purchasers of agricultural products are increasingly sensitive to the environmental impact of supply chains, so understanding the carbon footprint and taking proactive steps to reduce it may also provide opportunities. 

Nitrate Neutrality

Following a significant ruling by the European Court in 2018, Natural England issued guidance known as ‘nutrient neutrality,’ advising local councils against approving developments that could exacerbate nutrient pollution in water bodies within protected habitats already classified as “unfavorable.”

By June 2023, more than 145,000 housing projects in 74 different local authority areas had been postponed, as reported by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

In August 2023, the Government proposed a series of amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to address the ongoing challenges related to nutrient neutrality. These amendments suggested that local planning authorities should assume that developments would not have an “adverse impact” on areas affected by the nutrient neutrality guidance and disregard any evidence to the contrary. Environmental advocacy groups strongly criticised this move, expressing concerns that it could weaken environmental safeguards and contradict the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

In early to mid-September 2023, the Labour Party announced its opposition to these proposals and introduced its own counter amendment. The Government’s amendment faced scrutiny in the House of Lords during a debate that extended for more than four hours on 13 September. Ultimately, members of the House of Lords voted against the Government’s proposal by a margin of 192 votes to 161.

Additionally, a separate amendment, which would have granted the secretary of state the authority to “enact regulations concerning the impact of nutrients in water on environmental, planning, or development enactments in England,” was also defeated, with 203 votes against and 146 in favor.

On September 13, the House of Lords rejected the Government’s proposed amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which aimed to instruct councils to disregard the effects of development within areas protected under the Nutrient Neutrality guidelines.

Environmental Option Agreements

Talk to Lambert & Foster about Environmental Option Agreements.

Environmental Promotion Agreements

Talk to Lambert & Foster about Environmental Promotion Agreements.

Environmental Planning

Talk to Lambert & Foster about Environmental Planning.