Biodiversity Net Gain will be under the microscope next week as Thrings Solicitors’ latest seminar seeks to provide guidance to landowners on what these newly introduced regulations mean for them.
Ahead of the event, we are proud to showcase some of the guest speakers we will be welcoming to the event:
Christopher Sparrow
Christopher is the Managing Director for National Capital Advisory, a consultancy providing strategic advice and services to farmers, investors, developers and other stakeholders across the country on all things natural capital.
With almost three decades of experience in surveying, Christopher has built an impressive career managing rural interests, including previously serving as the Head of Rural and Coastal for the Duchy of Lancaster, a 47,000-acre private estate owned by King Charles, and also 11 years as the Resident Agent at Boughton, the Northamptonshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch.
Christopher’s work also sees him sit on the board of the Environmental Farmers Group, an organisation established by farmers to support those in the industry in improving the environment as well as to benefit from the various initiatives out there.
Exploring the work of the EFG in relation to the natural capital markets, Christopher’s presentation at the seminar will look at how they are approaching trading natural capital and how it fits into the bigger picture.
Nicola French
As Director of Holbury Consultancy Service, Nicola’s work is at the forefront of developing ecological practice, specialising in advice on the implications of habitats regulations for major development schemes.
As part of this she collaborates with NGOs and the statutory agencies to find and implement creative solutions to mitigation, funding and management of nature conservation sites.
She also sits on the nature conservation working group of the UK Environmental Law Association and uses her experience in resolving planning and ecological issues to build close, constructive and lasting working relationships with key stakeholders across the industry.
During the seminar, Nicola will be examining BNG from an ecological perspective, looking at aspects such as the approach to land use, application of the biodiversity metric, the variables that affect output, and how they impact a landowner’s decision for enhancement or habitat creation.
Peter Harker
A dual accounts and tax qualified Partner for Top 20 accountancy firm Saffery, Peter specialises in landed estates and manages a mixed portfolio of clients, including wealthy individuals, owner managed businesses, agribusiness and not-for-profit entities, providing a bespoke service to help with their audit, accounting and tax needs.
Having been with Saffery for more than 20 years, Peter is a member of the firm’s Landed Estates Practice Group, Renewable Energy Team and Estates Discussion Group as well as heading up the firm’s Natural Capital group. He is also a committee member of the ICAEW’s Farming and Rural community.
Speaking at the seminar, Peter will be discussing the confusion around taxation on BNG and the impact such schemes can have on capital reliefs. His talk will also look at some of the more common tax questions being asked by landowners considering a BNG scheme and explain the areas where we are still awaiting government/HMRC guidance.
Chaired by Thrings Agriculture Partner Mark Charter, the seminar will also feature Thrings’ Jonathan Thompson, Senior Associate in the Agriculture team, and Harvey Davies, Solicitor in the Planning and Environment team.
Harvey will be reflecting on his experiences so far in the BNG market, both as a lawyer and a farmer, and will be outlining some practical considerations for landowners as they pursue this new opportunity. Meanwhile Jonathan will be discussing how Biodiversity Net Gain transactions and responsibilities will be documented in conversation covenants, together with how such matters will affect and be affected by other property interests.
The Thrings Biodiversity Net Gain seminar will take place on Wednesday, 6 March from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Thrings’ offices in Romsey (Address: Stuart Court, Salisbury Road, Romsey, SO51 6DJ).
To find out more about the event and how to book your place, click here.
