Themes | Environment & Climate | The Accountability Index

Biodiversity monitoring

Failure to adequately represent all species, particularly invertebrates, in biodiversity 'Red Lists' and indicators.

517 items 6 sources 1 inquiry

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Source spread

Where this theme appears

This theme appears across 6 independent accountability sources, so the source mix matters as much as the headline total.

1 inquiry rec 389 committee recs 11 NAO recs 74 LGO/SPSO decisions 1 CJINI report

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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.

6 sources

Inquiry recommendations(1)

9 — More monitoring of atmospheric discharges

Windscale Inquiry

Recommendation: The relevant authorities should carry out more monitoring of atmospheric discharges (para 10.126).

Select committee recommendations(389)— showing 50 strongest matches

Science and Technology Committee

Recommendation: DEFRA should establish a standard methodology for tracking, monitoring and reporting on light pollution. This should be in place by the next five-year Environmental Improvement Plan cycle. The Government should commission a regular survey to track light pollution once the …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We endorse the recommendation of the 2023 report of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Protecting Marine Mammals in the UK and Abroad, published on 28 June 2023: “We call on the Government to publish an …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government better regulate the use of bottom trawling at sea, particularly in MPAs and move to a more holistic site management approach at sea.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We received considerable evidence regarding the damaging nature of fishing using bottom-contacting gears which occurs across English waters, including within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This type of activity is some of the most damaging to marine ecosystems and species and …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government expand the current marine monitoring programme both inshore and offshore to develop a robust baseline of data that should be made publicly available. This programme should increase the frequency of monitoring and limit data extrapolation …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We received substantial written evidence detailing the challenging lack of transparent and reliable monitoring data for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). As on land, this makes establishing a robust baseline of data to use to target resources very difficult. Rigorous monitoring …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that alongside the map of what will count towards 30 by 30 the Government produce an action plan for achieving 30 by 30 at sea.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We welcome Defra’s plan to publish a map of the land and sea that will count towards 30 by 30 before the end of 2023. We are concerned about the lack of clarity around progress towards 30 by 30 at …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: The Government should ensure that LNRSs will be considered and given due weight in the planning system, including through statutory underpinning at the next legislative opportunity. Local authorities should be required to deliver the objectives of the LNRSs as part …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: For Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) to be effective, it is important that there is a strong link between LNRSs and development plans, with a statutory requirement on local planning authorities to incorporate policies and proposals in their development plans …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recognise the valuable role that Local Nature Partnerships play as a mechanism to convene stakeholders and experts to identify potential sites for nature recovery as part of LNRSs.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that any BNG sites that contribute to 30 by 30 must have specific nature conservation objectives, effective management to deliver these, proper monitoring and a guarantee of sufficient longevity beyond the normal requirement of the BNG regime (more …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government set out those ELMS they believe have the best potential to identify sites to count towards the 30 by 30 target in line with international guidance and ensure protection for more than 30 years.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS) have a strong potential for nature recovery. If participating sites meet international guidelines to protect nature for the long term, they could be included in the 30 by 30 target.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government launch a consultation to identify and classify potential OECMs in England and the contribution they could make to 30 by 30.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that: (i) National Parks and AONBs are given at the next legislative opportunity an additional statutory duty to protect nature to sit alongside their existing purposes. (ii) Sites within National Parks and AONBs should be identified for specific …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: The Committee recognises that there are competing and valid demands to live, work and enjoy the countryside, including within protected landscapes. Giving National Parks and AONBs a statutory nature conservation objective, in addition to their other statutory duties, as set …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government expand the role of robust citizen science programmes in protected areas to support monitoring and condition assessment programmes.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We acknowledge that a significant increase in Government-administered monitoring is both staff and resource intensive at a time when there are significant competing demands on public finances. Citizen science data-gathering could play an important role in augmenting and strengthening the …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We were pleased to hear that developing connectivity between various designations is a priority for the Government. Evidence we have received points to the critical role of connectivity and corridors across the wider landscape and urban areas to provide conduits …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) on land and at sea and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) should have been monitored in the last six years or in the six years …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that areas contributing towards 30 by 30 should comply with the guidance set out by the IUCN which requires that protected areas are “clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means, to …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: Stakeholders expressed concern about the inclusion of designated areas in the 30 by 30 target which do not meet International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidance. We share this concern. Additionally, any new designations contributing to 30 by 30 …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: Alongside the publication of the map, the Government should indicate what proportion of sites are currently in adequate condition to count towards 30 by 30. The Government should publish a clear plan with realistic targets to deliver steady progress on …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We welcome the Government target to meet the goal of 75 per cent of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to be in a favourable condition by 2042 and the interim target that 50 per cent of SSSIs should have …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government use the next legislative opportunity to place a statutory duty on Natural England for monitoring of SSSIs and that the resulting data is made publicly available.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: The Committee heard from a number of stakeholders that a lack of a statutory duty for SSSI monitoring has, due to implementation of past budget cuts, meant monitoring has become a casualty of resource constraints. A statutory monitoring duty would …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: While the Committee recognises the challenges posed by a constrained budget, the Government needs to develop an effective policy with a sustained funding commitment to deliver regular monitoring of SSSIs and for each site to be monitored every six years. …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We received substantial evidence regarding the patchiness of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) monitoring data. Poor monitoring data limits the understanding of the current condition of sites across the SSSI network and makes effective planning for targeted action very …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that the Government develops a whole- site protection and monitoring approach to protected areas on land, in addition to the feature-based monitoring and assessment that is currently used.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We heard that a whole-site approach for protection and monitoring, including the collection of site-level details, in combination with the current approach focused on species monitoring and counting, would be a more effective approach. It would allow an understanding of …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We heard from stakeholders that the designations covered by the EU Habitats Regulations are the sites with the highest strength of protection in England. They will be critical for achieving the 30 by 30 target and supporting nature recovery.

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We are pleased to see that the Government will be publishing a map this year on what counts towards 30 by 30. We recommend that alongside the map, the Government produce an action plan addressing the extent, condition, management and …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: We recommend that all existing designations for nature conservation in England be retained as a basis for the 30 by 30 target . They will require investment in resources and incentives for better management to meet clear nature conservation objectives, …

Response attribution not verified

Environment and Climate Change Committee

Recommendation: It is clear from the we evidence received that designations with a nature conservation purpose are an important starting point for meeting 30 by 30. At present, protected areas are not sufficient in their extent and are often in poor …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Competent authorities must now also consider a habitat regulations assessment when discharging any conditions on a planning application. This is the case even where the post-permission approval is not altering the impact of the proposal on protected areas.

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: In July 2022, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued a written ministerial statement confirming his view that habitats regulations assessment provisions “apply to any consent, permission or other authorisation, this may include post-permission approvals; reserved …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Alongside its work to digitise planning, the Government should consider the expansion of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment Programme. Any approach should prioritise the delivery of terrestrial information for areas of high housing and infrastructure demand over a blanket …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: The Government told us it expects a digitised planning system to enable greater transparency of planning data, including environmental data. However, it was unclear how this proposal would address those areas where data are unavailable: we heard that there has …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: When submitting a project proposal, a developer is required to produce an environmental statement detailing the expected impact on habitats, water quality, local species and other site-specific issues. This document is usually produced by an environmental or ecological consultant. For …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: More detail should be provided on the proposed approach to monitoring and enforcing the long- term delivery of biodiversity net gain. Where local planning authorities are required to undertake ongoing monitoring, the Government should provide sufficient resources for this. The …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: The Government told us, regarding Environmental Impact Assessments, that a lack of post-development monitoring had created uncertainty over the effectiveness of mitigation measures and led to issues being revisited in future assessments. 205 Similar concerns were raised over the monitoring …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Mitigation schemes and biodiversity net gain place responsibility on developers to fund or directly deliver long-term benefits to the environment. As well as granting the necessary planning permissions, local planning authorities are responsible for monitoring and enforcing this work. Biodiversity …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Natural England’s District Level Licensing scheme for great crested newts has reduced costs and increased certainty for infrastructure and housing developers where it operates while maximising the benefits for species conservation. The Government should expand this approach to other protected …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Local nature recovery strategies, introduced in the Environment Act 2021, could provide a strategic context for the delivery of biodiversity net gain, and other nature-based mitigation. 202 The plans would coordinate mitigation local to the affected areas while operating at …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: The introduction of a district level licensing scheme for great crested newts has led to a more strategic consideration of necessary habitats and unfavourable areas for development. 198 Mapping shows the most important areas to conserve and identifies target areas …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: A multi-phase development, such as the Houlton urban extension in Rugby, can take a much wider consideration of how and where to provide habitats for species such as the great crested newt. This does not risk the creation of small …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: However, on-site mitigation in sufficiently large development sites can ensure that local people remain connected to nature in their area and do not suffer only the negative impacts of development whilst benefits are felt elsewhere. 196

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: By way of example, the Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP, sits in DLUHC which is also responsible for local government finance and policy. 137 However, the introduction of biodiversity net gain and local nature recovery strategies has …

Response attribution not verified

Built Environment Committee

Recommendation: Natural England’s new Protected Sites Strategy approach should be extended to all protected sites in an ‘unfavourable’ condition. These strategies should include a time-bound action plan for restoring its condition in line with the environmental principles policy statement. 56 Planning …

Response attribution not verified

NAO audit recommendations(11)

Implementing statutory biodiversity net gain

On managing risks as statutory BNG embeds as business as usual, Defra should: establish arrangements to understand and respond to system-wide risks and opportunities;

Planting Trees in England

e) incorporate a measure of the proportion of woodlands that are well managed into its target for increasing woodland cover by 2050; and

Partially accepted

Implementing statutory biodiversity net gain

identify the contribution that they expect statutory BNG to make to national biodiversity targets, and how they will measure the progress statutory BNG makes to these objectives.

Environment Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23

In order to address the issues described in my certificate, priority areas for 2023-24 should include: achieving a more stable, accurate and complete asset management dataset, with activity prioritised based on the Environment Agency?s own risk analysis as well as …

Implementing statutory biodiversity net gain

monitor the extent to which the private market for biodiversity units is growing at the pace and scale it needs to in order to provide developers with the range of habitat types they require;

Environment Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23

updating property ownership records and making them accessible, where possible through registration ? plans should take note of the overall public sector aspiration for comprehensive registration by 2025 ? and addressing gaps in information on the extent of property holdings …

Planting Trees in England

c) ensure its monitoring and evaluation framework includes robust mechanisms for measuring progress against targets for wider benefits such as biodiversity, flood management and air quality;

Resilience to animal disease

i collate and publish regular data on volumes of SPS imports and checks for animal products in each category of risk;

Partially accepted

Regulating for investment and outcomes in the water sector

EA must understand whether actions in water company plans are being delivered and having the intended impact and delivering statutory environmental targets.

Environment Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23

continuing the Environment Agency?s rolling valuation programme with property selection including a risk-based element (e.g. addressing older balances and risks of duplication) with the aim of presenting a materially reliable picture of the overall portfolio as early as practically possible

Investigation into government’s actions to combat waste crime in England

We have identified areas where Defra and the Agency, working with HMRC and others, could make further progress: Improve data on waste crime and strengthen understanding of the resources being used to tackle it, so that resources can be targeted …

Independent reviews(41)

Cunliffe Water Commission — Rec 13

Recommendation 13: Future water monitoring programs should be reviewed and adequately resourced, to accurately reflect the state of the environment.

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 24

Defra needs to quickly evaluate and improve the current compliance nature market schemes (including biodiversity net gain (BNG) and nutrients credits) to make any early adjustments needed to maximise their delivery. The schemes should be streamlined and simplified, with consideration given to whether there are different ways to aggregate BNG …

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 15

Allow trusted nature conservation and environmental partners and other organisations with good track records greater autonomy, through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and wider deployment of 'class licences' enabling them to move fast on restoring nature without applying to regulators for multiple permissions. Criteria would need to be developed to ensure …

Pitt Floods Review — Rec 27

Defra, the Environment Agency and Natural England should work with partners to establish a programme through Catchment Flood Management Plans and Shoreline Management Plans to achieve greater working with natural processes.

Glover Landscapes Review — Rec 4

Proposal 4: National landscapes should form the backbone of Nature Recovery Networks – joining things up within and beyond their boundaries The establishment of a national Nature Recovery Network is set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. The Lawton Review set out the need to move beyond wildlife contained …

Glover Landscapes Review — Rec 2

Proposal 2: The state of nature and natural capital in our national landscapes should be regularly and robustly assessed, informing the priorities for action Today, not enough is known about the state of nature in our national landscapes. The state of SSSIs is certainly not a sufficient basis for assessing …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 24

Recommendation 24. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should be advised on progress against recommendations in this report after two years, with a full evaluation of the outcomes for England’s ecological network after five years.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 22

Recommendation 22. If a formal system of biodiversity offsets is to be introduced, pilot schemes should be established to test and refine its operation, to ensure it meets the conditions we have set out for a safe and effective system.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 21

Recommendation 21. Public bodies and other authorities responsible for canals, railways, roads, cycle ways and other linear features in the landscape, should ensure that they better achieve their potential to be wildlife corridors, thereby enhancing the connectivity of ecological networks, and improving opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 19

Recommendation 19. Habitat creation by government and its agencies, grant- giving trusts, businesses and the voluntary sector requires greater focus on the needs of ecological networks, in particular the need to contribute to Ecological Restoration Zones.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 18

Recommendation 18. Government needs to establish a consistent, integrated and long-term expectation of land managers to deliver parts of the ecological network. In doing so, consideration should be given to: • providing more readily available, high quality advice; and • developing the Defra Whole Farm Approach to provide an opportunity …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 14

Recommendation 14. In view of the opportunity presented by their existing statutory remits, in National Parks and AONBs: (a) favourable condition of SSSIs should be achieved as quickly as possible; (b) non-SSSI semi-natural habitat should be brought under management equivalent to SSSI standards; and (c) other land should be managed …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 13

Recommendation 13. Responsible bodies should revise conservation objectives for SSSIs and other wildlife sites to respond to the effects of climate change - in particular by aiming to enhance habitat diversity and support underpinning ecological processes, whilst taking account of the requirements of current species and habitats.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 12

Recommendation 12. Local authorities should take responsibility for the identification and monitoring of Local Wildlife Sites and the management of LWS must be improved.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 11

Recommendation 11. The recent progress in improving the management of SSSIs must be sustained, with the aim of moving the condition of sites from ‘recovering’ to ‘favourable’. Investment in the management of the SSSI series must be maintained.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 10

Recommendation 10. When determining the boundaries of designated sites, responsible authorities should take better account of the need to support underpinning ecological processes and of anticipated environmental change.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 6

Recommendation 6: Government should produce a strategy to ensure that we protect and secure multiple benefits from our carbon-rich soils and peatlands, and maximise their contribution to ecological networks.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 5

Recommendation 5. Authorities responsible for measures to reduce the risks from coastal erosion and flooding should do so in ways that enhance ecological networks where possible. This can be achieved by taking full account of the natural dynamism and functioning of the coast, thereby allowing wildlife and habitats to move …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 4

Recommendation 4. Public bodies and statutory undertakers planning the management of water resources should: • make space for water and wildlife along rivers and around wetlands; • restore natural processes in river catchments, including in ways that support climate change adaptation and mitigation; and • accelerate the programme to reduce …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 3

Recommendation 3. Ecological Restoration Zones (ERZs) need to be established that operate over large, discrete areas within which significant enhancements of ecological networks are achieved, by enhancing existing wildlife sites, improving ecological connections and restoring ecological processes. We further recommend: • ERZs should be proposed and implemented by consortia of …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 2

Recommendation 2. Planning policy and practice should: • continue to provide the strongest protection to internationally important sites and strong protection from inappropriate development to SSSIs. • provide greater protection to other priority habitats and features that form part of ecological networks, particularly Local Wildlife Sites, ancient woodland and other …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 1

Recommendation 1. Local authorities should ensure that ecological networks, including areas for restoration, are identified and protected through local planning. Government should support local authorities in this role by clarifying that their biodiversity duty includes planning coherent and resilient ecological networks.

Dasgupta Review — Rec i

Ensure that our demands on Nature do not exceed its supply, and that we increase Nature's supply relative to its current level.

Oakervee Review — Rec 8

Conclusion 8: The Review recognised the impact of HS2 on woodland, landscape, biodiversity and more broadly on built and natural environments. Given the duration of the HS2 project, such impacts, along with any accompanying mitigation and compensatory measures, need to be kept under review.

Skidmore Review — Rec 87

Natural England - Deliver accurate monitoring of carbon across broader range of ecosystems, with a view to bringing more habitats into the inventory to drive habitat creation and restoration efforts

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 28

Use the momentum of the Defra Group AI Strategy 2030 to identify three high-ambition applications of AI which will (1) build Defra's role as a digital regulator, (2) support both economic growth and nature recovery outcomes, and (3) have an economy of scale across regulators. These applications should be generated …

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 25

Following the agricultural transition, Defra needs to set out publicly how rural grants and payments can be used by farmers and landowners, in combination with green finance, to balance food production and nature outcomes. The production of Defra's 25-year farming roadmap will be an opportunity to do this. This should …

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 22

Given the UK's financial and scientific expertise, Government should publish a call for evidence on further opportunities to increase private investment into nature from economic sectors who impact upon or benefit from our shared natural capital, for example through the role nature-based solutions can play as economic infrastructure.

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 9

Review the funding streams connected to place-based delivery, for example biodiversity net gain, to ensure they can be used as flexibly as possible to help local authorities and regulators deliver the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan and Local Nature Recovery Strategy ambitions.

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 8

Use LNRS across the 48 strategy areas as a basis for building and embedding 'local Environmental Improvement Plans (EIPs)' which cover all elements of the national EIP, which Combined Authorities can work with local partners to deliver. This consolidation of various local plans and strategies is a major task which …

Glover Landscapes Review — Rec 3

Proposal 3: Strengthened Management Plans should set clear priorities and actions for nature recovery including, but not limited to, wilder areas and the response to climate change (notably tree planting and peatland restoration). Their implementation must be backed up by stronger status in law National Park and AONB Management Plans …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 23

Recommendation 23. The design and delivery of the Entry Level Scheme of Environmental Stewardship needs to be improved, in particular to ensure key options are taken up in appropriate combinations over a sufficient area. Delivering a more effective ecological network may require refinements to the schemes, such as rewarding farmers …

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 16

Recommendation 16. A new type of Environmental Stewardship scheme is needed, particularly to help buffer sites and establish stepping stones and ecological corridors. This should be simple to administer, be available in key areas, and provide support for high cost but relatively simple management measures.

Lawton Nature Review — Rec 15

Recommendation 15. The Higher Level Scheme of Environmental Stewardship must be retained and properly resourced as the single most important tool for maintaining and expanding the most significant areas of priority habitat and populations of priority species. Consideration should be given to improving the quality of advice and putting longer …

Building Better Building Beautiful Commission — Rec 33

regreen streets and squares. Other actions which the government should support and encourage should include: • Bricks for bees and birds in new build homes; • Greenery low to the ground to capture particulate matter; • The retention of existing hedges in greenfield developments and planting of new hedges; • …

Building Safety

Barker Land Use Planning Review — Rec 9

In the light of growing demand for land and the need to ensure that areas of high public value (such as sites with important or endangered wildlife) or areas at higher risk from flooding due to climate change are adequately protected: • regional planning bodies and local planning authorities should …

Corry Defra Regulation Review — Rec 21

Defra should explore launching a Nature Market Accelerator to bring much needed coherence to nature markets and accelerate investment. This should be small, focussed and industry funded to provide independent assurance on the governance and standardised processes needed to guide and protect the interests of suppliers of nature-based projects; investors …

Glover Landscapes Review — Rec 14

Proposal 14: National landscapes supported to become leaders in sustainable tourism We realise that increasing numbers of visitors is not without its challenges. One respondent to our call for evidence reflected that certain places were being overwhelmed: “their popularity heralds their demise”. We believe who comes, where they go, what …

Building Better Building Beautiful Commission — Rec 6

use provably popular form-based codes. Local planning authorities should develop more detailed design policy interventions, such as provably popular form-based codes and pattern books, as a basis for considering planning applications.21 We believe that form-based codes and non-negotiable infrastructure including green infrastructure (as with the Community Infrastructure Levy) are often …

Building Safety

Barker Housing Supply Review — Rec 10

Planning guidance should be amended to advise regional and local planning authorities on assessing the value of land to society. This would enable planners to take account of the relative values that society places on different types of land use when allocating land in local development frameworks, recognising the inevitable …

Dimbleby National Food Strategy — Rec 9

Create a Rural Land Use Framework based on the Three Compartment Model.

Health & Social Care

LGO / SPSO decisions(74)

21-014-730 — London Borough of Hillingdon

Summary: Ms X complained about the Council’s decision to approve works to trees in a conservation area that she said were used by bats. We found the Council at fault in failing both to consult on the application or to make a written record of its decision reasons. These faults …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Upheld Jul 2022

22-004-477 — King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council

Summary: Mr X complains the Council accepted a low maintenance planting scheme for a development in his village rather than properly considering Biodiversity Net Gain. We will not investigate the complaint because it is unlikely an investigation will usefully add to the Council’s own investigation or lead to a different …

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Aug 2022

21-011-484 — Cheshire East Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s handling of matters relating to the presence of Japanese Knotweed on a site near Mr X’s home. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jan 2022

22-007-012 — London Borough of Brent

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decision to reject his dropped kerb application on the basis his constructed driveway did not meet biodiversity requirements, which are not mentioned within its policy. We have not found fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Transport And Highways Not Upheld Nov 2022

24-001-798 — North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

this complaint about the Council’s decision to end regular maintenance on land identified as a wildlife corridor. There is insufficient evidence of fault causing any significant personal injustice to Mr X.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jun 2024

24-007-375 — Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about damage caused by Council owned trees to her property. This is because it is reasonable for Miss X to take the matter to court.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Sep 2024

24-020-407 — East Suffolk Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council felling trees at a heathland site. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council, and insufficient evidence of personal injustice.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Apr 2025

25-005-201 — London Borough of Islington

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to remove a tree which caused the complaint to suffer a fall. This is because we are unlikely to add to the Council’s investigation or achieve the outcome requested.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Aug 2025

25-009-948 — Swindon Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about property damage.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Nov 2025

25-009-111 — North West Leicestershire District Council

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council not removing or doing further works to its tree which is near her property.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Nov 2025

21-017-882 — Wokingham Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council making a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on trees belonging to a third party, which later damaged the complainant’s property. This is because the actions of the Council did not cause an injustice to the complainant, and liability for the damage …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Apr 2022

21-018-365 — West Lancashire Borough Council

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision to allow a bat roost tower to be built on a site adjacent to his property. We will not investigate the complaint because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Apr 2022

22-007-196 — Liverpool City Council

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint the Council has refused to remove or prune a tree which is harming the amenity of her home. Investigation is not likely to lead to the outcome Ms X wants. It is reasonable for Ms X to use her legal rights and …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Sep 2022

24-008-431 — Hart District Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council not processing or responding to a tree felling licence it received from the Forestry Commission to remove from land many trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order, not taking account of its own Climate Change Action Plan, nor using …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Oct 2024

25-006-099 — Malvern Hills District Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s refusal to allow tree works on protected trees. This is because it was reasonable to expect Mr X to appeal to a government minister. Part of the complaint is also late, and there are no good reasons to investigate it …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jul 2025

23-020-104 — Environment Agency

Summary: Mrs B has complained that the Environment Agency has wrongly asked for an indemnity from her against the risk of harm caused by it cutting weeds. She also complained that it did not respond to her reports of flooding and damage. There is no fault in the Agency’s decisions. …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Upheld Oct 2024

21-016-178 — Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s decision not to seek TPO consent for the removal of trees from a development site close to his home. We will not investigate the complaint because Mr X has already taken court action in relation to the issue and so the complaint falls …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Mar 2022

21-017-191 — Cheshire East Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council dealt with the complainants request for a Tree Preservation Order. This is because there is no evidence of fault in how the Council dealt with the matter and the issue does not cause the complainant a personal injustice.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Mar 2022

21-018-607 — Portsmouth City Council

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint that his car was damaged due to the Council’s failure to maintain a tree. This is because it is reasonable for Mr B to pursue his compensation claim at court.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Mar 2022

20-014-350 — Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Summary: Mr C complains the Council failed to properly consider a reserved matters application for a development next to an area of Ancient Woodland without ensuring adequate protection to prevent harm. We have found no fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Not Upheld May 2022

22-002-029 — Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s failure to follow its wildlife and natural habitat policies in relation to a set of planning applications and permissions granted for housing development in her locale. We do not propose to investigate the complaint because Ms X has not suffered significant personal injustice.

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Jun 2022

22-000-708 — East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response when Mrs X reported that protected trees were being felled near her home. This is because it is unlikely we can add to what the Council has already said or achieve any meaningful outcome for Mrs X.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jun 2022

22-003-949 — Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council failing to force the complainant’s neighbour to cut back their hedge. The complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The complainant has been dealt with by a Housing Association …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jul 2022

22-004-209 — Liverpool City Council

Summary: Mr X complains about the Council’s failure to act on his complaint about overgrown tree branches made six years ago. We will

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jul 2022

22-005-356 — Birmingham City Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how the Council has dealt with a claim for damage to the complainants car, caused by a falling tree branch. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault in how the Council dealt with the matter and the issue of liability …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Aug 2022

22-006-847 — Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council failed to respond appropriately after the complainant reported wildlife was at risk due to a lack of water. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Sep 2022

22-007-603 — Worcester City Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to approve an application for a tenant to keep bees on his allotment plot. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Sep 2022

22-007-638 — Mole Valley District Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council refusing to publish a wildlife report submitted as part of a planning application. This is because the complaint does not meet the tests in our Assessment Code on how we decide which complaints to investigate. The Information Commissioner is better …

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Oct 2022

22-000-900 — Mendip District Council

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in how it handled planning matters regarding the protection of bat populations. It considered all the relevant information and decided that the applicant had not breached the planning condition.

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Not Upheld Nov 2022

22-005-682 — Trafford Council

Summary: Ms X complained the Council failed to properly deal with her reports of Japanese Knotweed spreading from a neighbouring property into her garden. We have found no evidence of fault in the way the Council considered these matters and so have completed our investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Not Upheld Dec 2022

23-014-929 — North Somerset Council

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in how it decided to allow long grass to remain at a rewilded site.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Not Upheld May 2024

25-000-826 — Newcastle upon Tyne City Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s actions when removing vegetation from the complainant’s garden in 2023. This is because the complaint has been made late and there are no good reasons in the delay.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jun 2025

25-000-480 — South Kesteven District Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the council processed an application to cut down protected trees. The complainant has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate; therefore the complaint is outside our jurisdiction. Also, I consider it is not a good use of our resources to consider a …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jun 2025

25-002-428 — Hampshire County Council

Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council's decision not to remove or significantly reduce a tree next to a private estate on which she lives.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jul 2025

25-005-678 — North Lincolnshire Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to carry out tree works. There is not enough evidence of fault in the Council’s decision-making process to warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Aug 2025

25-010-819 — Transport for London

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a damage claim as it reasonable to expect Mrs X to take court action for the compensation she seeks.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Sep 2025

25-003-784 — North Yorkshire Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to remove a tree. This is because the Council has already provided a satisfactory remedy and there are no wider public interest issues that justify investigating.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Nov 2025

25-016-156 — Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about damage caused by a Council tree. It is reasonable to expect Mr X to take court action.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Nov 2025

201602468 — Aberdeen City Council

Mr C complained to us that the council failed to take reasonable action in relation to complaints he had made to them. Mr C's home is next to an open area of council greenspace. A nearby school uses the greenspace for organised sports lessons and school team activities. These uses …

SPSO (Scottish Public Se… Local Government Upheld Nov 2017

25-012-627 — North Norfolk District Council

on the lessons that can be learnt from our complaints about end of life care given in care homes and in the home.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jan 2026

25-016-370 — Medway Council

Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council not taking appropriate action in relation to trees outside her property. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council and we would not be able to add to the Council’s investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Feb 2026

21-015-696 — London Borough of Lambeth

Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about Japanese Knotweed spreading to the complainant’s property from the neighbouring Council owned property. This is because we have no power to investigate a council when it is acting as a landlord.

LGO (Local Government & … Housing Feb 2022

21-018-939 — Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council not replacing some trees. This is because there is not enough injustice to warrant investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Apr 2022

21-018-836 — Charnwood Borough Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s response to damage to the complainant’s property caused by badger activity. This is because there is no evidence of fault by the Council.

LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Apr 2022

21-013-263 — London Borough of Merton

Summary: Mr X complained about the Council’s decisions to allow removal of trees in his neighbour’s garden. Mr X said the loss of trees affects his amenity. We ended our investigation as it is unlikely to result in a finding of fault, a remedy for Mr X or others, or …

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Not Upheld Jun 2022

22-006-902 — Durham County Council

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision not to remove a tree. This is because there is no evidence of fault on the Council’s part.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Sep 2022

22-004-791 — Herefordshire Council

Summary: Miss D says the Council failed to properly investigate a statutory smoke nuisance caused by a neighbouring property. The Ombudsman has not found evidence of significant fault and has completed the investigation and not upheld the complaint.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Not Upheld Dec 2022

22-007-183 — South Derbyshire District Council

Summary: There was fault by the Council as it missed about 15 assisted bin collections and/or returns in six months. An apology, payment and agreement to monitor collections for the next month remedies the injustice caused to Mr X.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Upheld Dec 2022

23-013-240 — Shropshire Council

Summary: X complained the Council failed to be transparent when granting permission to a neighbouring development and failed to notify them about the proposal. They said the Council failed to consider the impact on wildlife and did not investigate alleged breaches of planning permissions. X also said the Council did …

LGO (Local Government & … Planning Not Upheld May 2024

24-001-772 — Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about matters relating to the ownership and replacement of communal waste bins at Ms X’s block of flats. This is because neither fault by the Council nor injustice caused to Ms X is sufficient to warrant an investigation.

LGO (Local Government & … Environment And Regulation Jun 2024

CJINI inspection reports(1)

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Inspections and prosecutions by Departments and other bodie… May 2015

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