Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became become mandatory in February 2024 for all developments, with some minor exceptions. Whilst BNG can have benefits for us and the nature around us, it can impact your projects negatively. So, what does BNG mean for applicants, landowners, and homeowners?
Biodiversity Net Gain can impact the size of any potential developments, considering considering the now legal requirement to maintain habitats and reverse a loss of biodiversity. One of the key features of BNG is the statutory target to increase the biodiversity value of a site by 10% for a minimum of 30 years, through a habitat management and monitoring plan. The impacts of BNG on your developments can also mean they are less viable, so all aspects need to be considered as your project progresses.
Read on to learn more about biodiversity net gain and how if impacts planning and architecture.
What Is Biodiversity Net Gain?
An approach to development, biodiversity net gain aims to make sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development took place. One of the new mandatory features of BNG is the target to increase the biodiversity of a site by 10%. This is required for a minimum of 30 years and is done through habitat management and monitoring plans. The law was expected to come into effect in November 2023, but was delayed. From February 2024, large sites were expected to comply, followed by small sites from 2nd April 2024.
It’s still early days so there has yet to be sufficient evidence of this law’s effectiveness at reversing the loss of biodiversity. There is also worry about how biodiversity net gain will work in practice. However, it’s now law and can’t be ignored by either planning applicants or local authorities.
How Does Biodiversity Net Gain Work?
In England, BNG is founded on the ‘mitigation hierarchy’, as detailed in the National Planning Policy Framework. This hierarchy presents a step-by-step approach to addressing the harm that might be caused to biodiversity when determining planning applications.
As shown below, the idea of avoidance is prioritised. This is then followed by the use of mitigation measures to minimise the application’s impact on biodiversity. If BNG can be achieved on-site, it should be. The final step, off-site compensation or ‘offsetting’, should be considered a last resort in the biodiversity net gain process.
Effects of Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain for Developers
There are many effects of mandatory biodiversity net gain but, here are a few of them that are likely from a developer’s perspective:
- Successfully achieving BNG on-site will reduce the area of the site in many instances. Existing habitats, especially valuable hedgerows, trees and wetlands, might need to be retained.
- Achieving biodiversity net gain off-site involves the use of BNG offsetting mechanisms. This might involve the creation or enhancement of off-site habitats, purchasing biodiversity units on the market, or acquiring statutory credits. There is an emphasis on focusing these off-site solutions as close to the area of initial impact as possible.
- It’s sensible to involve an ecologist early on in the design process. They’ll help you to understand the baseline habitat and what ecological features are important to the ‘biodiversity metric’. This process will continue as the best way to develop a site is determined.
- The viability of schemes may also be affected by the achievement of biodiversity net gain. Whichever way it’s achieved, BNG will bring an increased cost for developers at the application stage, with ecological or legal fees. The financial burden will also be larger in the long term. It’s important to adhere to the management plans for at least 30 years, which can be expensive.
The Option of Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain
Some local authorities and wildlife trusts are developing their own habitat banks. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, for example, is offering Derbyshire-based BNG units available now, with Section 106 legal agreements in place. Market leaders in the private sector, such as Environment Bank, are also beginning to look at offsetting solutions.
Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance from Planning & Design
The new mandatory biodiversity net gain measures aren’t an overnight concept, certainly seems to have gone under the radar for many of our clients who are surprised when they find out what it might mean for their proposals.
We can help you understand and manage the impact of BNG on your developments, minimising disruption and cost If you want to chat more about it, do not hesitate to get in touch on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
Which Sites Are Exempt From BNG?
The list of sites that are exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain is fairly narrow. Developments that don’t meet a size threshold, applications for development to existing houses, or biodiversity gain sites themselves are all examples of exempt sites.
What Is The Purpose Of BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain aims to make sure that, after the completion of any development, habitats for wildlife are in a measurably better condition than before.
What Are The Benefits Of BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain has a multitude of benefits for nature, people and the economy. BNG can help communities mitigate against climate change, increasing resilience against extreme weather. BNG can help wildlife adapt to climate change, preserving and creating new habitats and ecosystems. BNG can create more attractive and sustainable places in which to live and work.
