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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a metric and an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before, where the state is determined by ecological metrics defined by Natural England, and where the gain is assessed by a Local Planning Authority (LPA). [1] [2]

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain Metric?

As the law on BNG currently stands, the metric is defined by identifying habitat types, e.g. river, hedge, meadow, etc., which then are used to calculate parts of the metric itself. These are indicators of current and projected Biodiversity in certain areas. Below, see an example of the metric BNG version 3.1, which comes as an excel spreadsheet.

The current version at the time of writing, BNG version 3.1 accounts for changes between  Pre-development and Post-development, also Post-intervention habitats, e.g. future biodiversity offset estimates. With temporal, spatial, and difficulty multipliers acting on ecological facts, the final outcome of the metric value, the BNG percentage is, at best, an informed expert interpretation of the ecological facts given the development work carried out both on and off-site.

Aside from filling out the BNG spreadsheet to get a final percentage metric, Gantt charts can be used to illustrate the process in detail, to help others involved in project management and planning.

You can download information about the metric here and see the spreadsheet referenced in the above images here. [3]

The Biodiversity Net Gain Guide.

We recommend consulting an expert ecologist, and optionally a landscape architect to advise you during the project’s design process. Consulting an expert is necessary to mitigate costs that can be incurred due to the destruction of ecological features on-site. If such features are destroyed, significant extra cost and effort are required to then increase the BNG. Baseline units and gains are determined by the use of the spreadsheet which gives a result based on the final design and net change in biodiversity units.

Mitigation hierarchy.

The Mitigation hierarchy is an important concept, and protects the environment in order of precedence. The hierarchy should be applied to every development.

1. Avoid harm.
2. Minimise harm
3. Rehabilitate and enhance onsite
4. If the development cannot do 1-3 use offsite offsetting.

In terms of costs, 1. avoiding harm, e.g. protecting trees and topsoil in situ, incurs minimal cost.

You get in touch with expert ecologists from Landvision to discuss your project’s needs. To do so, visit our contact us page.

What’s next for Biodiversity Net Gain Metric?

Natural England is set to this policy for the foreseeable future, however, they will continue to finetune the metric over the coming years, in order to increase the certainty that the measures of this policy indeed work, according to the view of experts, as stated on the Natural England blog.

It is vitally important that habitats are managed and maintained for the duration of the BNG agreement (30 years) and that, if necessary, corrective measures are implemented if the BNG outcomes forecast through the metric are not forthcoming. None of us wants to see an outcome that looks good in the metrics calculation but then fails to materialise on the ground. [2]

Additionally, understanding the end impact of a project can take a long time, which is why Natural England aims to extend the monitoring of sites for longer.

Currently many habitat plans only consider what is needed over a 5-10-year period. BNG requires habitats be secured for at least 30 years, which means they must be managed and monitored. [2]

Note, that this includes funding of both site management and monitoring of the natural areas by ecological consultants.

To conclude, and reiterate Natural England, the outcome of biodiversity net gain is not just about the metric, it is also up to the ecologist to liaise with the LPA to determine whether the metric works. As to whether the metric really works in practice, a registry of data will be maintained of sites that deliver BNG, which will help work as a means of iterating and finetuning the policy.

Summary of Biodiversity Net Gain Guide.

In summary, developers need to take into account the natural environment when they are planning a project by hiring an ecologist at an early stage. The Biodiversity Net Gain metric is the tool ecologists will use to account for the environmental impact of the project.

If you need to consult an expert ecologist for your project. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

References

[1] – https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/environment/biodiversity-net-gain

[2] – https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2021/09/21/biodiversity-net-gain-more-than-just-a-number/

[3] – http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6049804846366720

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The need for Natural Landscapes and accessible public green space.

The need for Landscapes for human well being is increasing  This includes the need for Natural landscapes for good mental health and wellbeing. Especially following events such as the pandemic Covid 19 and during wars. Historically humans have needed green space and natural landscapes such as National Parks as a place of reprieve and respite. Urban and rural open spaces are vital for the smooth functionning of modern day society. Natural Landscapes can be truly beneficial to us as individuals or in groups. They are a vital highly valued finite resource for use by the larger community. By protecting and enhancing natural landscapes, we can provide a powerful and largely free antidote to busy everyday life. The need for Landscapes for human well being

We aim to design, create and manage beautiful landscapes. By making high quality green space accessible to all, we reduce pressure on important services such as public health and social services, leaving spending for those who really need it. The need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing is now recognised by research.

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By conserving and enhancing the quality of natural landscapes, we can restore our sense of calm and well being. Accessibility is vital, as we all benefit from a connection to nature.

This need for tranquility and calm is reflected in the demand for access to natural landscapes, National Parks such as South Downs National Park, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) such as the High Weald AONB, as well as other more remote landscapes.

Organisations such as the National Trust promote accessibility to green spaces in their rural estates, variety of gardens, historic parkland and important coastline landscapes. Wildlife Trusts such as Sussex Wildlife Trust manage wildlife reserves for the benefit of biodiversity, and these sensitively managed spaces are important natural landscapes.

The need for Landscapes for human well being,  why are natural landscapes important?

As a species, humans originally evolved as hunter gatherers. This transitioned to farmers as hunter-gatherer bands began to settle. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests not only do we need the land for survival, in terms of resources such as food, but, in fact that landscapes are also vital in promoting our physical and mental health. That the need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing is increasing.

Research has shown that we can all benefit greatly by increasing access to natural landscapes and green spaces, connecting to nature in our local neighbourhoods.

How can Landscapes help us?

Health and Landscapes

It is now widely understood that there is a strong link between our health and the landscapes around us so it is proven that the need for Landscapes for human well being is there. By increasing access to natural landscapes and green spaces, and connecting with nature in our everyday lives, we can all benefit greatly in terms of our physical and mental health.

Increase in activity:

It is widely known that when we are outdoors, we are more active. Activity and exercise are very important in maintaining overall health. Physically, many health problems can be linked to inactivity and obesity. Some examples spring to mind immediately such as stroke, heart disease or cancer. Other examples may be less obvious. Conditions influenced by inactivity present with an entire range of co-morbid health problems, with links to greater risk of poor health outcomes.

By increasing the quality, accessibility, the size and number of landscapes aswell as green links via green infrastructure we can help society to be more healthy. By encouraging public use of these natural landscapes, we can therefore encourage healthier lifestyles overall. The prevention of poor outcomes and long term disease is something that can be directly influenced by this knowledge of how to manage and optimise use of landscapes. This knowledge, through sensitive landscape design and management, will lead to far better outcomes for whole communities and a fitter and healthier population, and helping prove the need for Landscapes for human well being. Use of local green space, (and staycations) may also help to reduce carbon footprints aiding the slow down of climate change.

Improving mental health:

There is now a wealth of evidence to suggest that time spent in natural landscapes can have a profound effect on our mental health. In a fast–paced, technology driven world, it is more important than ever that we take time to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with nature. By doing so, we can improve our concentration and productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase our sense of well–being.

Reducing stress and anxiety:

The need for fresh air and Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing has been demonstrated during pandemics such as Covid 19 (2020-2022 onwards). Not only does activity in our local green spaces and wider landscapes reduce stress and anxiety through the production of endorphins, but there is a growing body of research that suggest just being outside in natural landscapes really does help to make us happier and healthier. It’s a win win situation for all and the need to protect these landscapes has never been more urgent.

Technology detox:

In our fast–paced, technology driven world, it is more important than ever that we take time to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with nature. By doing so, we can improve our concentration and productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase our sense of well–being. We all know how good it feels to spend time in nature, but sometimes it can be hard to find the time, or we may not have access to green spaces where we live. However, there are ways to bring nature into our everyday lives, even if we live in an urban environment. By making small changes to our daily routine, we can reap the benefits of time spent in nature, even if we only have a few minutes to spare.

The importance of viewing natural beauty:

The need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing has been proven. That by simply looking at scenes of natural beauty, this can have a positive impact on our mental health. Studies have shown that looking at nature can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve our mood and sense of well–being. So, next time you are feeling stressed, anxious or down, take a few minutes to step outside and look at the natural world around you. Even if you live in an urban environment, you can find beauty in the simplest of things, such as seasonal leaf clour of a tree nearby, blossom, or areas of grassland, especially if there are flowering wildflowers and grasses included in the landscape.

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Water and the landscape Part 1.

This is a first of a series of articles on water and the landscape.

It is quite well known that landscape architects can play a key role in flood alleviation. The need for this expert help and advice is seen in the following report.

SUDs and landscape design and management are key areas where landscape architects can help to give advice on mitigation and alleviation of flooding. Landvision give advice to land owners and corporate clients; combining landscape design and management skills under one roof, saving clients time and money.

The Pitt report of 2009 was an independent report into how to combat the effects of flooding seen in the UK in 2007.
Many of the recommendations were followed, but more needs to be done and this work needs to continue, with teams of experts working on flood alleviation schemes. These teams will include landscape architects, like Landvision, who will often be taking leading roles in implementing and specifying work. How to actually enable planning policies and anti flooding guidance on the ground and at grass roots level, as envisaged in the Pitt report of 2009, is the landscape architects’ role as part of the team of experts.

Why the flooding occurred.

Parts of the UK, such as the Somerset levels, have been managed by man for hundreds of years. They have effectively become reclaimed land from previous marshland. This year, 2014, as the Jet Stream became weakened, a long series of low pressure depressions tracked across the UK, bringing very high rainfall for prolonged periods. The ground field capacity of the soil was soon reached and water runoff and flow rates also increased, with flooding of low lying marshland in The Somerset levels and areas along the Thames Valley in Surrey, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, to name but a few areas.

The following report describes some of the effects of the 2014 flooding in the South East. 

Landslides have also occurred in counties along the south coast, as far apart as Cornwall, East Sussex and Kent. These landslides caused disruption to rail services and were associated with slumping which follows heavy rainfall and high ground water levels; as well as fast runoff causing soil erosion. The main railway line to Cornwall was undermined by the high tides and storms at Dawlish, in Devon;

Dawlish Railway line

Sink holes also opened up along the M2 central reservation, due to the effects of ground water on underground aquifers.

The role of the Landscape Architect in alleviating the effects of catastrophic events.

Flooding and landslides show the need for long term landscape and habitat management techniques. Landscape architects can help and advise land owners. These landscape management techniques are familiar to Landvision. They will form part of the long term strategy for dealing with water management in urban areas as well as in rural areas.

For advice on design to combat flooding, or to discuss a project of design or management : contact Landvision now

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