Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

What is BNG?

Biodiversity Net Gain is a conservation strategy that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than before development. It is a mandatory requirement from the 12th of February 2024 for developers to ensure a measurable increase in biodiversity on or near their project sites.

Developers must deliver a ‘net gain’ of 10%. This means development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than before development. 

Contact Aware Ecology to see how we can assist your project in achieving the 10% target, with our costs starting from £499+VAT.

The following information and more can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/biodiversity-net-gain.

What is the legislation?

The relevant primary legislation for the statutory framework for biodiversity net gain is principally set out under Section 90A and Schedule 7A (Biodiversity Gain in England) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This legislation was inserted into the Act by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021.

How can a developer achieve ‘net gain’?

There are 3 ways a developer can achieve BNG. 

  1. They can create biodiversity on-site (within the red-line boundary of a development site). 

  2. If developers can only achieve part of their BNG on-site, they can deliver through a mixture of on-site and off-site. Developers can either make off-site biodiversity gains on their land outside the development site or buy off-site biodiversity units on the market.

  3. If developers cannot achieve on-site or off-site BNG, they must buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government. This should be a last resort. The government will use the revenue to invest in habitat creation in England.  

Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy

Developers are encouraged to follow the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy from the earliest stage possible when selecting a site and considering development proposals.

The biodiversity gain hierarchy means the following actions in the following order of priority:

  • avoiding adverse effects of the development on onsite habitat with a habitat distinctiveness score, applied in the biodiversity metric, equal to or higher than six;

  • so far as those adverse effects cannot be avoided, mitigating those effects;

  • so far as those adverse effects cannot be mitigated, habitat enhancement of onsite habitat;

  • so far as there cannot be that enhancement, creation of onsite habitat;

  • so far as there cannot be that creation, the availability of registered offsite biodiversity gain;

  • so far as that offsite habitat enhancement cannot be secured, purchasing biodiversity credits.

How to include BNG in your planning application?

Where development would be subject to a biodiversity gain condition, the application must be accompanied by the following information (‘Biodiversity Statement’) as set out in Article 7 of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015:

  • a statement as to whether the applicant believes that planning permission if granted, would be subject to the biodiversity gain condition;

  • the pre-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat on the date of application (or an earlier date), including the completed metric calculation tool used showing the calculations, the publication date and the version of the biodiversity metric used to calculate that value;

  • where the applicant wishes to use an earlier date, the proposed earlier date and the reasons for proposing that date;

  • a statement confirming whether the biodiversity value of the onsite habitat is lower on the date of application (or an earlier date) because of the carrying on of activities (‘degradation’), in which case the value is to be taken as immediately before the carrying on of the activities, and if degradation has taken place supporting evidence of this;

  • a description of any irreplaceable habitat (as set out in column 1 of the Schedule to the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations [2024]) on the land to which the application relates that exists on the date of application (or an earlier date); and

  • a plan drawn to an identified scale which must show the direction of North, showing onsite habitat existing on the date of application (or an earlier date), including any irreplaceable habitat.

What happens once planning is approved?

The statutory framework for biodiversity net gain requires a Biodiversity Gain Plan to be submitted and approved by the planning authority to discharge the general biodiversity gain condition before the commencement of development.

The Biodiversity Gain Plan sets out how the biodiversity gain objective of at least a 10% gain will be met for the development granted planning permission.

The plan must be submitted in writing no earlier than the day after planning permission has been granted.

Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)

You need to describe how you’ll maintain and monitor the habitat enhancement. The plan should include the following:

  • how do you plan to manage the off-site gains or significant on-site enhancements, taking into account any legal restrictions and requirements 

  • when and how you’ll monitor habitats (this will vary for different types of habitat) 

  • when and how you’ll report monitoring results 

  • when and how you’ll review management proposals  

  • how you’ll  change the way you manage the habitat so that you achieve the habitat or wider outcome  

Biodiversity Net Gain marks a significant step toward harmonising development with environmental conservation. As the UK strives for a more sustainable and ecologically responsible future, BNG represents a crucial tool that empowers developers to contribute actively to enhancing and preserving biodiversity. Integrating Biodiversity Net Gain into development plans can build a legacy of thriving ecosystems, resilient communities, and sustainable growth for future generations.

How can we help you deliver BNG?

The costs will differ depending on your project's complexity and size but will start from £499+VAT for the Biodiversity Statement.

For a quote relevant to your project, please don't hesitate to contact us so we can discuss your project’s requirements.