Hot Topics

Question 1

Talk about the biodiversity net gain

Answer 1

• The Environment Bill, which includes a requirement for all new development to achieve a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, is subject to further delays.
• Likely to be a 2 year transition period post achieving Royal Assent
• Natural England published the biodiversity metric 3.0 in July as an update on the previous 2018 version. The metric is designed for use by developers and LPAs to quantify the 10% BNG requirement on new developments and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
• Under the NPPF, LPAs are free to set their own Local Plan BNG requirements, and could specify the use of metric 3.0. Understanding the baseline position and environmental value of a site at the offset of a project continues to be critical to avoid costly mistakes and to achieve max value.

Question 2

How is biodiversity net gain calculated?

Answer 2

• If asked to demonstrate a percentage increase, an ecologist will need to run a metric/calculation. This will be informed by measurements of pre-development ‘score’. The ecologist will then identify any losses of habitats or new habitats will be created as part of the development, and apply multipliers to account for certainty of and timescales for establishment which will result in a post development score.

Question 3

What important topics are affecting surveyors at the moment?

Answer 3

• COVID-19
• Planning reforms (white paper going out window, but Boris wanting to build a lot of houses)
• Residential market boom from planning reforms - having an effect - pushing up land prices

Question 4

Tell me about the development land market at the moment.

Answer 4

a

Question 5

Are there any particular things hampering land values at the moment?

Answer 5

a

Question 6

In terms of the recent issues with the RICS, can you outline what they are and how you would potentially want to alter the RICS going forward?

Answer 6

a

Question 7

What changes do you think the RICS needs to make? What would you do?

Answer 7

a

Question 8

What are some of the current issues affecting your clients, particularly residential developers?

Answer 8

a

Question 9

Can you tell me the biggest challenges facing the RICS at present?

Answer 9

a

Question 10

What is one thing the RICS could do to improve their service to the public?

Answer 10

a

Question 11

If a client asked you what your opinion of the market would be over the next 12 months, what would you say?

Answer 11

a