Biodiversity Net Gain: Enhancing Ecosystem Value through Strategic Interventions
This page provides a comprehensive exploration of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), detailing its benefits, methodologies, and regulatory frameworks. Designed for planners, developers, and architects, the content offers evidence-based insights and practical examples that demonstrate how BNG can transform projects into sustainable and environmentally responsible ventures.
There is usually a requirement to show a 10% Net Gain to obtain planning permission. In some cases, there may be a requirement for higher % of Biodiversity Net Gain. The Environment Act 2021 sets out the requirements for Net Gain.
Net Gain requirements apply to all developments that require planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA). The Net Gain requirement also applies to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) consented under the Planning Act 2008.
Exemptions
There are some exemptions from the requirement to show a Net Gain.
General Permitted Development. If your project is exempt from the TCPA under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, then it is also exempt from the requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain.
If your proposals are for:
- marine sites;
- development that ‘results in negligible… or minimal impacts to low or medium distinctiveness habitats’ ;
- domestic/ householder small scale applications; for example, Building extensions;
- change of use applications;
- schemes covered by the Transport and Works Act 1992 and Highways Act 1980.
How is Biodiversity Net Gain Calculated?
Post-development biodiversity units
minus
Pre-development biodiversity units
- habitat area;
- habitat distinctiveness;
- habitat condition;
- ecological connectivity;
- strategic significance.
For the post-development Metric calculation, all the above criteria are used along with:
- time;
- difficulty;
- spatial risk.