GiGL calls on London’s local planning authorities to act on the capital’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy with better use of biodiversity evidence.
Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC (GiGL), the capital’s environmental records centre, is calling on London’s local planning authorities (LPAs) to make greater use of biodiversity data as the city begins to implement its first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
Figures published by GiGL reveal a stark gap between what is required and what is happening on the ground. Of the 59,733 planning applications received by London planning authorities in the 2024/25 financial year, only around 1,019 – just 1.7% were supported by a GiGL data-search report providing the appropriate biodiversity evidence base. This is far below the 18% of applications estimated to require such a report, based on a 2016 Mayor of London study1. Approximately 19,000 of these applications were for major and minor developments.
The figures place London at the lowest end nationally2. By comparison, around 16% of planning applications in Doncaster are informed by a local data-search report – highlighting that other urban areas are doing significantly better.
“London’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy is an important step forward for nature in our city. But a strategy is only as good as its implementation — and that depends on robust, trusted evidence. Right now, the vast majority of planning decisions are being made without proper consideration of biodiversity impacts. That has to change.”
— GiGL spokesperson
About the Local Nature Recovery Strategy
London’s first LNRS sets out a clear plan for restoring and enhancing nature across the capital. Its success will depend on evidence based decision making and long-term monitoring of nature recovery measures – areas in which GiGL plays a central role.
GiGL supported the Greater London Authority in preparing the Local Habitat Map and species data underpinning the LNRS (read more about this work here). We manage high-resolution species, habitat and green infrastructure data collated over thirty years, and provide tools including ecological network and habitat suitability mapping.
Checklist for London LPAs
GiGL is requesting all London LPAs take clear steps to ensure that decisions on the natural environment are based on the best available data. This includes developing close relationships with GiGL through a Service Level Agreement (SLA), so we can support councils in making informed decisions in planning. View a list of our current SLA partners and visit our Services for Partners page to find out more.
About GiGL
Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC (GiGL) is the capital’s environmental records centre, and celebrates 30 years since its inception this year. Run as a social enterprise since 2013, GiGL mobilises, curates and shares data that underpin knowledge of London’s natural environment. It represents London in a UK-wide network of local environmental records centres and works to standards set by the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres and the National Biodiversity Network.
GiGL has produced an online guide detailing how it can assist in applying the LNRS.
Notes to editors:
- The 18% figure is based on a 2016 Mayor of London study using criteria reflecting national and regional planning policy and legislation (Planning for Biodiversity?). ↩︎
- Comparable national figures have been compiled by the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres (Unlocking Better Planning decisions for Nature). ↩︎