Biodiversity Net Gain
Sustainable development sits high on the political agenda which makes improving biodiversity a key driver for developers, land owners and local planning authorities alike.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach used to improve a sites biodiversity value. Once applied, on completion, a site will have a positive ecological impact, delivering improvements through habitat creation or enhancement after avoiding or mitigating harm.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) sits within the Environment Act.
The Act requires all development schemes in England to deliver a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain to be maintained for a period of at least 30 years. The concept seeks measurable improvements for biodiversity by creating or enhancing habitats in association with development. Development proposals must “leave biodiversity in a better state than before”.
What does Biodiversity Net Gain mean for developers and land owners?
BNG means developers and land owners in England must ensure their projects deliver biodiversity improvements to meet the required 10% increase.
They must determine and evidence a project’s final BNG value using the specified Defra biodiversity metric if they want their plans to move through the planning process swiftly.
How to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain
To achieve biodiversity net gain, proposals must follow the ‘mitigation hierarchy’ which compels planning applicants to avoid harm in the first instance, then mitigate or finally compensate for losses on-site, off-site or through a combination of the two solutions. These measures will be required in planning conditions.
Free Biodiversity Net Gain CPD sessions for your business
BNG is a complex matter and, at first glance, can seem daunting. To help you and your team understand BNG and how to deliver it, we can provide an informative CPD webinar covering everything you and your team need to know about BNG and its mechanisms for delivery.
To find out more about our online webinar, get in touch using the form below.
Biodiversity Net Gain expertise
Free webinar: How to approach Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain is now becoming mandatory on all development projects in England which means any development proposal needs to demonstrate how it will improve biodiversity and how this will be maintained for at least 30 years.
The implications for developers and land owners is huge and failing to deliver BNG could be a costly mistake. In this webinar, delivered in November 2020, Mike Barker, Director of Ecology, demonstrates how to integrate biodiversity net gain into development plans, avoid costly mistakes and effectively and legally manage a site to achieve maximum value.
Use the form below to watch our webinar now.
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Is your Biodiversity Net Gain up-to-date?
Read articleThe recently updated Biodiversity Metric 3.1 could mean some developments in England are no longer hitting the mark when it comes to biodiversity net gain.
And with a non-negotiable BNG needed to secure planning, this can be a big problem for those sites assessed before the updated metric came into place in April this year. Here, Director of Ecology, Mike Barker uses his experience on a recent solar project to show the impact of these changes and demonstrate why it’s advisable to review any projects assessed using previous calculators.
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Securing Biodiversity Net Gain on logistics sites
Read articleWith the Environment Act coming into force, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now mandatory on all projects in England. Hannah Knight, Principal Ecologist looks at the challenges of securing BNG on logistics sites, and why early engagement is essential.
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Peatlands and Nature Recovery Networks: The Environment’s Bill of the ball?
Read articleNature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history. But the Government’s recent announcement, setting out plans to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change is a crucial step forward in restoring nature and safeguarding the environment for the future. Director of Ecology, Mike Barker looks at the implications for developers and landowners moving forward.
Key contacts
Dr Simon Zisman
Senior Director, Ecology T: +44 (0) 131 555 5011 Email
Stephen Lockwood
Director of Ecology T: +44 131 561 1835 M: +44 7515 784174 Email
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