Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on our planet, from species to habitats and ecosystems. It is a form of natural capital that helps to create and maintain our eco-system services.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to planning, developments and land management that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. It is intended to deliver measurable improvements for biodiversity by retaining, creating or enhancing habitats.

National mandatory BNG requirement for major site applications came into effect on the 12th February 2024 for major applications and minor site applications on the 2nd April 2024.

Biodiversity net gain sets out 10 ‘Good Practice Principles for Development’ which must be applied all together, as one approach.

The Council’s Net Gain Approach

From the 12 February 2024, mandatory BNG for all major planning permissions granted in England, with a few exceptions, will be required to deliver a minimum of 10% BNG under the Environment Act 2021 calculated using the Statutory Metric. Developments must achieve this net gain within 30 years.

This is also in accordance with Policy NAT1 (Biodiversity, Geodiversity and Important Natural Features) of the Tewkesbury Borough Plan

Mandatory BNG for small sites will apply from the 2 April 2024. The definition of small sites is summarised below. Small site development includes:

• Residential development where the number of dwellings is between 1 and 9, or if unknown the site area is less than 0.5 hectares
• Commercial development where floor space created is less than 1,000 square metres or the total site area is less than 1 hectare

Further site/project specific input can be provided via our pre-application service.

Mitigation Hierarchy

The requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain does not alter existing requirements and protections in planning policy and legislation for the natural environment such as protecting importance habitats and species. It maintains and reinforces the mitigation hierarchy, which is embedded in national planning policy (NPPF paragraph 180). Gains in biodiversity should initially be achieved on-site (within the proposed development site), avoiding impacts first, then minimising and mitigation, and compensation for losses as a last resort. If compensation for losses on-site is not possible, as a last resort, biodiversity losses should be sought off-site.

Ideally, BNG should be delivered:

• on-site, through habitat creation/enhancement via high quality landscaping and green infrastructure provision, but can be delivered;
• off-site through habitat creation/enhancement, including via habitat banks and with public and private landowners preferably in the local authority area.
• if local off-site BNG delivery is not possible, the last resort option is to buy statutory credits from the government.

Planning

Applications should continue to meet the current local validation requirements. This includes the submission of the latest DEFRA Biodiversity Net Gain Metric to confirm how the biodiversity gain objectives of at least a 10% gain will be met for the development. Once planning permission has been granted, a Biodiversity Gain Plan must be submitted and approved prior to the commencement of development.