Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will become a default component of the UK planning system. Major developments currently, from February 2024, will have to show how they will deliver at least a 10% gain in biodiversity through planning permission. This is a major change, under the Environment Act 2021, in how the effect of the development on the environment is determined\u2014and mitigated.<\/p>\n
For developers, BNG is becoming indispensable. It influences how projects are designed, valued, consented and built.<\/p>\n
What Is Biodiversity Net Gain?<\/b><\/p>\n
Biodiversity Net Gain is to leave the area they end up in measurably more beneficial for the natural world than it was when they first arrived. Developers must consider the baseline value for nature that the land has, and then show how they will add to it\u2014by preserving existing elements, rehabilitating ecosystems, or adding new biodiversity value in green infrastructure.<\/p>\n
BNG was put on the statute book through the Environment Act 2021 and was to become fully operational for major developments from February 2024. The key requirements are:<\/p>\n
They apply to Town and Country Planning Act 1990 planning applications and are enforced by LPAs.<\/p>\n
Most major schemes\u2014residential, commercial, and infrastructure development schemes<\/b>\u2014will be subject to requiring BNG. Small householder schemes and some permitted development rights are exempted, although in most instances, planning applications will include BNG as a standard submission requirement.<\/p>\n Developers will be asked to use the Biodiversity Metric\u2014a technique created by Natural England. It measures biodiversity in “units”, which differ by:<\/p>\n At least a 10% improvement must be shown in a pre- and post-development investigation. The metric has to be supported with ecological survey data and included in the planning application.<\/p>\n BNG can necessitate delivery:<\/p>\n On-site provision is to be preferred, but off-site benefits are permitted if sufficiently justified and legally tied to the required 30-year period.<\/p>\n BNG is transforming site planning. Habitat and ecological value incorporation at an initial stage is now able to directly influence layout and land use. The traditional approach entails:<\/p>\n Working alongside ecologists and landscape architects is now inevitable.<\/p>\n BNG imposes cost and planning. Developers are required to:<\/p>\n Lack of proper planning can cause delays in checking or denial of planning consent.<\/p>\n\n
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