Join any forums that deal with the environment, ecology, or open spaces. These will probably be in some way facilitated by your council and, importantly, may feed into their decision making process.

Get on your council's list for receiving a register of new planning applications.

Become familiar with the Government's Planning Circulars, Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) - being gradually replaced with Planning Policy Statements (PPS), Mineral Planning Guidance (MPG) - being gradually replaced by Minerals Policy Statements (MPS), and Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) - to be replaced by Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The most important of these for nature conservation are Circular 06/05 and Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9), both titled "Biodiversity & Geological Conservation". These circulars, guidance notes and statements are available for purchase from The Stationery Office (formerly HMSO) and may also be read and downloaded electronically without charge on the "Planning" section of the website of the Department for Communities & Local Government.

Many local councils are now in the process of reviewing their development plans in light of changing Government guidance and new legislation. If, when looking over your Council's development plan, you see 'gaps', and/or opportunities for improving policies or site designations, you should ask the Council's Forward Planning Office to be included in the development plan review process - this process will differ from one Council to another.

Seek general training in planning issues from Planning Aid, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, and others (see "Useful contacts and references" below).

Want to know more?

Then click on:

	useful contacts and references
	our local councils and their ecological advisers
	changes in the law