New planning regulations to protect the environment were set to apply from November.

Plans to force developers to improve natural habitats have been delayed by the Government.

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) was set to become mandatory under English planning rules in November but, the new requirements will now not come into force this year.

Under the rules, which were approved as part of the 2021 Environment Act, builders will be required to create new habitats on or off-site or, as a last resort, buy statutory credits from the government to fund improvements on other sites.

The Association for Project Safety [APS] takes a wide view of health and safety in the UK’s built environment and believes construction projects ought to take account of the impact the have on the natural world.

APS President Ray Bone said:

“Health and safety in construction needs to be seen in the wider context. At the Association for Project Safety [APS] we believe all projects should take account of the impact construction can have on the environment. More needs to be done to reuse and repurpose materials and old buildings wherever practical. No one wants to hold up progress on the homes and workplaces we need - or on renewing the country’s ageing infrastructure – but there will always be a balance to be found between building fast and economically with limiting the environmental footprint of building projects. APS believes the wider adoption of new techniques and increasing use of technology can help find a sweet spot between reaching our construction goals while both making work in construction safer and healthier and still delivering on the UK’s environmental commitments.”

Notes for Editors

1. About APS: the Association for Project Safety (APS) is a leading professional body dedicated to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of professionals and the public throughout all phases of construction projects. APS is committed to driving excellence in safety and promoting sustainable practices within the construction industry. Learn more at APS

2. APS is a signatory to the CIC’s Carbon Zero: the professional institutions’ climate action plan

3. Media contact: for comment and interviews contact Kevin Dorrian on kevin.dorrian@acumen-pr.com