Plan and manage the development of sites in the land-based and environmental sector

This standard covers planning and managing the development of sites in the land-based and environmental sector.

Sites may be developed for a wide range of reasons such as commercial activities, amenity purposes, preservation or landscape or marine conservation.

You should have knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and constraints that affect site development, particularly in relation to the wide range of policies, legislation, regulations and designations that affect the land-based and environmental sector.

You must carry out your work in a way that takes account of its impact on the environment.

This standard is suitable for those with overall responsibility for planning and managing the development of sites in the land-based and environmental sector.

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1. confirm the intended purpose and use of the site in the land-based and environmental sector
2. identify and evaluate opportunities and constraints when planning development of the site
3. assess the risks that may occur during site development
4. seek specialist advice where required
5. produce development plans that achieve a balance between the intended purpose and use of the site, and the opportunities and constraints
6. identify any relevant site restrictions or designations in place and obtain any necessary permissions, consents or licences
7. communicate with the relevant interested parties regarding the planned work
8. confirm that plans cover arrangements for site access, security, health and safety, biosecurity, disposal of waste, communication systems and any other requirements
9. confirm that facilities, services, supplies, equipment, staffing and any other resources required are available for the successful implementation of the plan
10. produce specifications for the required work
11. present and communicate development plans and specifications to those who need to be informed
12. confirm that a risk assessment is carried out and procedures are in place to protect the health and safety of those undertaking the work and other users of the site
13. manage the development of the site, taking action and making changes to the plan where required
14. maintain communication with those involved in, or affected by, the work
15. confirm that all work is carried out in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
16. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and your organisation

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1. the intended purpose and use of the site in the land-based and environmental sector and the impact the development may have on the surrounding environment
2. the opportunities and constraints to consider when planning development of the site
3. the importance of assessing the risks that may occur during site development
4. how to balance competing demands that may occur due to the uses of the site
5. when and where to seek specialist advice and guidance
6. how to formulate plans that meet the objectives for the development of the site, taking into account the opportunities and constraints
7. the implications of any relevant site restrictions or designations that are in place
8. the circumstances where permissions or licences are required and how to go about obtaining these
9. the importance of communicating with interested parties and the methods of communication that are likely to promote understanding
10. how to plan arrangements for site access, security, health and safety, biosecurity, disposal of waste, communication systems and any other requirements
11. how to determine the facilities, services, equipment, staffing and other resources required for the implementation of the plan and how to ensure they are available where and when required
12. the importance of producing work plans and specifications and the required format for these
13. how to present and communicate development plans and specifications to those who need to be informed
14. how to manage the development of the site and monitor that objectives are met
15. the issues that may arise during development work and the actions to be taken
16. the importance of reviewing and revising the development plan to ensure that the objectives are achieved
17. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
18. the relevant legal requirements and those of your organisation for the completion and storage of records

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Interested parties:

• those directly involved
• those affected by the site

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Opportunities and constraints:

• site designations
• listed buildings
• heritage assets
• public access and rights of way
• biodiversity, habitats and species
• presence of protected or non-native invasive species
• grant-funded environmental agreements
• current or previous use of the site
• other activities in the area
• physical (geographic location, climate, geology)
• natural capital
• sustainability
• carbon reduction
• climate change
• flood risk
• value of nature
• environmental
• ecological
• green infrastructure communities
• placemaking
• visitors
• site infrastructure
• public access and rights of way
• legislation
• local, regional, national and global policies
• organisational policies
• social, cultural, aesthetic and economic factors
• health and wellbeing
• cost of implementation
• resources required
• grants, subsidies or other sources of funding

Site restrictions or designations could include:

• National Park
• Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
• Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
• Special Protection Area (SPA),
• Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
• National Nature Reserve
• Marine Conservation Zone
• World Heritage Site (WHS)
• Archaeological site
• Nitrogen Vulnerable Zone (NVZ)
• Drinking Water Safeguard Zones
• Scheduled Monument (SM)
• Listed Building (LB)
• Registered Parks and Gardens (RPGs)
• Registered Battlefield (RB)
• Sites identified on the Historic Environment Record (HER)
• Public rights of way and access land
• Military training area

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3

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2025

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANCS41

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Environmental Manager, Environmental Policy Officer, Estates Manager, Groundsman, Head Gardeners and other Horticultural Management Roles, Head of Environment, Parks Managers, Production Managers, Property Manager

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5119

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planning; environmental; development; sites

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