This week, Jerry Tate attended the Infrastructure Ecology Network Europe (IENE) 2026 conference.

Taking place from 21-25 September at the University of the West of England in Bristol, the theme is Value of Nature in Resilient Infrastructure. The programme includes talks, presentations, excursions and workshops.

Marking the 30th anniversary of IENE, this year’s event brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, infrastructure planners, and innovators working at the intersection of transport, ecology, and sustainable development.

On Tuesday, Jerry joined an expert panel to debate the notion ‘Green is Cheaper than Grey – Barriers and Solutions to Mainstreaming Nature into the Built Environment’. Despite strong evidence of the value of nature within housing projects, it too often remains absent from new developments in the UK. Chaired by Oliver Harmar, Natural England, the panel included:

• Kunle Barker, Natural Places and TV Presenter
• Lisa Palframan, Homes England
• Louise Clarke, Berkeley Group Plc
• Selina Mason, Lendlease

Thanks so much to the chair, panel, audience and Matt Livesey at Natural England for inviting Tate + Co to be part of such a lively and relevant conversation around what it really takes to bring nature into housing development.