Environmental charities and industry leaders have exhorted the government to ‘build on’ the biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy’s early success.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has rescinded the safeguarding directions for the scrapped Phase 2b Eastern Leg of HS2, which would have run between the West Midlands and Leeds.

Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet has agreed that the regulation 18 consultation for its local plan will begin on 1 September.