Under Environment Act 2021, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Calculation will be mandatory from April 2024 for all development sites following the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This article should give you some understanding of what BNG is and the procedure required to successfully obtain planning approval under the new environmental regulations.
BNG is a concept and procedure designed to ensure that development projects have a positive impact on biodiversity. It seeks to ensure that the natural environment is enhanced by development and development activities rather than being harmed and deteriorated over time. The procedure typically involves several steps:
- Baseline Assessment: The first step is to assess the existing biodiversity on the development site. The assessment includes identifying species, ecosystems, and habitats that are present. Experienced and qualified ecologists undertake the survey using the UKHab methodology. This baseline assessment serves as a reference point for measuring changes in biodiversity.
- Development Proposal: The developer submits a proposal for the development project, including landscape plans and designs. The proposal plans are being reviewed, and the potential impact of the development on biodiversity is recognized.
- Biodiversity Impact Assessment: Environmental consultants or experts conduct a biodiversity impact assessment to evaluate the potential harm or benefit to biodiversity from the development. This assessment considers factors like habitat loss, fragmentation, and species displacement.
- Biodiversity Metric: Biodiversity metric quantifies the existing biodiversity of the site and serves as a measurement of the impact or gain of the development to biodiversity. These metrics may vary by region or project but aim to provide a standardized measure of biodiversity changes. The goal is to achieve at least 10% biodiversity net gain, following the NPPF, but can vary on a local level depending on individual Local Planning Authority (LPA) policies. Such as, any proposed development should result in a quantifiable improvement in biodiversity compared to the baseline.
- BNG Calculation: The difference between the baseline biodiversity and the predicted post-development biodiversity is calculated using the biodiversity metric generated using UKHab assessment and application to the proposal landscape plan.
- Mitigation and Compensation: If the proposed development has a negative impact on biodiversity, thus biodiversity net loss, the developer must propose measures to mitigate these impacts. Such methods include habitat improvement, creation of new habitats, or other actions to compensate for the loss. The proposal should achieve the BNG within the development site. However, if it is not possible, the project can propose compensation near the site or seek to purchase Biodiversity units from local biodiversity banks.
- Approval and Monitoring: A Local Planning Authority reviews the proposal and impact assessment. If the proposal meets the criteria for biodiversity net gain in line with local or national regulations, it will be approved. Post-approval, monitoring and reporting mechanisms are often put in place to ensure that the agreed-upon measures are implemented and that the net gain in biodiversity is achieved.
- Long-term Management: Developers must commit to at least 30 years of long-term management and maintenance of biodiversity enhancements to ensure their sustainability following the NPPF policy.
- Adaptive Management: An essential aspect of BNG is the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Suppose the initial mitigation and compensation measures do not achieve the expected net gain. In that case, a developer adjusts to meet the Net Gain target.
BNG’s specific procedure and requirements can vary by individual LPA regulations. MMEnvironmental Ltd staff is well trained and understands policies to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the face of development pressures. We aim to strike a balance between economic development and preserving ecosystems and species diversity. If you require our assistance, please check our services and contact us at: https://mmenvironment.co.uk/our-services/ecology-surveys/