Conservation of Native Species Overwhelm
In England, a new mandatory requirement called Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is set to transform the development landscape, with the aim of ensuring that all projects result in more or better quality natural habitats compared to pre-development conditions. This requirement is enforced under the Environment Act 2021, with enforcement becoming effective from January 2024 for major developments and April 2024 for smaller sites[1].
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The BNG is integrated into the planning system via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by the Environment Act 2021 (Schedule 7A and Schedule 14 respectively)[2]. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and recent biodiversity strategies in England provide the policy context that supports BNG implementation[2].
Implementation Requirements for Developers and Land Managers
Developers must quantify the current biodiversity on-site, plan and implement habitat creation or enhancement measures to deliver at least a 10% net increase, maintain biodiversity improvements for at least 30 years via management plans, and secure these arrangements through legally binding agreements (e.g., planning conditions or Section 106 agreements)[1][2].
Land managers involved in BNG must engage in habitat management and potentially create or manage sites that provide offset or credit schemes allowing developers to purchase biodiversity credits if on-site gain is not feasible[1][3].
Specific Steps to Achieve 10% BNG
- Baseline Assessment: Developers start by measuring the biodiversity units on the site before development using standard metrics.
- Design and Habitat Creation: Projects must include designing habitats that yield a net biodiversity increase (e.g., green roofs, wetlands, woodland planting, species-rich grasslands).
- On-site and Off-site Options: Where on-site enhancement is not possible or sufficient, developers can use off-site enhancements or purchase biodiversity credits from registered schemes to meet their 10% gain requirement[3].
- Long-term Management: Must include detailed monitoring and maintenance plans for 30 years, secured legally to ensure continuity of biodiversity benefits.
- Regulatory Compliance: Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) enforce compliance during planning permission decisions.
Considerations for Small and Medium Sites
The government is consulting on easing BNG rules for small sites (up to 9 homes) and medium-sized sites (10 to 49 homes) to reduce costs and complexity, though the minimum 10% net gain remains the baseline target[3].
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
For large infrastructure projects, including power stations and highways, BNG becomes mandatory from May 2026, with strict enforcement measures under consultation to prevent circumvention of requirements[4][5].
This webpage provides guidance on a topic called biodiversity net gain, offering step-by-step guidance for developers. However, it does not provide information about the specific goals or objectives of biodiversity net gain, nor does it explicitly state what qualifies as "more" or "better quality" natural habitats. Additionally, the webpage does not provide details about what "planning" refers to in the context of biodiversity net gain or the penalties or consequences for failing to meet the 10% target.
Developers working in England must factor science-basedApproaches into their projects, considering health-and-wellness aspects as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) aims to improve human health by preserving and enhancing the natural environment. Moreover, environmental-science knowledge is crucial for managing offset or credit schemes in cases where on-site habitat gain is not feasible.
