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.
Listen up...
Mike Barker, Director of Ecology was invited to join Bidwells’ Head of Rural Investment, Roland Bull to discuss how developers can prepare themselves for BNG when it comes into force later this year. Listen in and find out more...
Free webinar: how to approach Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain is now 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 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
Common Biodiversity Net Gain challenges and how to avoid them
Our BNG experience has highlighted a number of issues and pitfalls that can pose a real threat to project success. To help avoid costly delays, we've put together a series of short video blogs to address some of the complexities that may arise when applying BNG on site.
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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.
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The Environment Bill: What we do know
Read articleIn the face of election uncertainty, Jacob Bonehill takes a look at what we do know about the Environment Bill – and what this might mean for development projects.
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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