Many rivers to cross – The opportunities and pitfalls of development sites containing rivers and streams
Overview
Since January 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has been a planning requirement across England. Under BNG, developers must provide an improvement in biodiversity, not only for the site areas but also for linear features, including watercourses within a project boundary even if they are not directly affected by the proposed development.
This new requirement means that developments must undertake specific assessments to establish the quality of any watercourses ahead of the site development works. It also means that every development will need a Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliance assessment.
To assess and plan the necessary changes each development with a watercourse will need a River Condition Assessment (RCA) normally with a Modular River Physical Survey (MoRPh) to inform the necessary BNG and WFD compliance assessment as well as a WFD baseline assessment.
In this Leading Minds session, we will outline what needs to be done, when it will be needed and what solutions you might need to deploy. We will also plumb the depth of how to best turn this new requirement into a benefit to the development and how it can be linked to other blue green infrastructure and SuDS initiatives while at the same time not allowing it to become a blocker that slows down the development as a whole.
Watch webinar: Many rivers to cross
During this webinar, you'll learn about:
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River Condition Assessments (RCA) and Modular River Physical Surveys (MoRPh)
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How to leverage these requirements to enhance your developments
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Connecting BNG with blue-green infrastructure and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
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Practical strategies to maintain project momentum while ensuring compliance
Our top tips
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Start consultation early - you may have to change your masterplan to accommodate River BNG and WFD obligations
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Conduct a MoRPh survey before commencing any works, even basic site clearance
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Discard rubbish from rivers - even one item of “large trash” in a river has a significant effect on river condition
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Manage invasive species - a minor improvement in invasive species management can generate significant betterment to a watercourse
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Remove obsolete hard structures – even simple interventions can allow for important enhancements (Disused outfalls and sluices still affect river condition)
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Connect SuDS with watercourses – it's possible for one solution to help provide BNG, WFD, reduced flood risk and amenity value
Speakers
Ola Holmstrom
Senior Director - Hydrology
Ola has over 25 years’ experience of working with water environmental issues in the UK and abroad. His primary areas of experience have been in the field of hydrology, hydrogeology, flooding, drainage, water quality and eco-hydrological issues and how these are dealt with through the planning process. Ola has worked with developers and landscape architects to address Water Framework Directive and watercourse Biodiversity Net Gain requirements across the UK and brings a wealth of practical expertise in how to overcome these ever more challenging issues.
Bryn Kearsey
Consultant - Hydrology
Bryn has worked on solving water environment issues in both the UK and abroad. He currently focuses on helping clients fulfil environmental commitments on river re-naturalisation, nutrient neutrality and the Water Framework Directive.
Leading Minds Webinar Programme
Our Leading Minds webinar series is hosted by technical experts from a variety of disciplines across our business. Each episode aims to guide you through legislative challenges, development risks and sustainable solutions to maximise the profitability of current and upcoming schemes. Whether you want to register for our upcoming webinars, or flick back through our catalogue of previous webinar recordings and top tips, find out more below.
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