Consultation on biodiversity offsetting
A consultation has been launched by the government on a new scheme to boost economic growth and improve the environment.
The scheme for biodiversity offsetting will mean that developers have to provide new wildlife sites better than the ones they are allowed to build on.
Politicians hope that the scheme will improve the environment for wildlife, as well as simplify the existing planning process.
Consultation on the scheme follows a recommendation made in the Ecosystems Market Task Force report, titled Realising Nature's Value. Published in March 2013, the report proposed biodiversity offsetting, among other actions, as a means of tackling biodiversity loss and achieving economic growth.
A commitment to publish a consultation paper on the proposal was made by environment secretary, Owen Paterson, at a wildlife summit in May.
"Offsetting is an exciting opportunity to look at how we can improve the environment as well as grow the economy," said Mr Paterson.
He added: "We want to hear from developer and wildlife groups alike on how we can simplify the existing planning process while enhancing our natural environment.
"There is no reason why wildlife and development can't flourish side by side."
Biodiversity offsetting has already been implemented in 25 other countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia and Germany.
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