Biodiversity Net Gain – Five Months On
Isabel Ede
Jul, 31 2024Five Months of Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain in England
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has now been in place for five months. Since February 2024, major developments have had to provide a mandatory 10% BNG, and since April 2024, minor developments have been subject to the same requirement.
Planning Applications and BNG Requirements
For the past three months, almost all new planning applications—except for limited exemptions—must demonstrate a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the pre-development value.
Developers can achieve BNG in several ways:
- On-site provision
- Off-site biodiversity gains
- Statutory biodiversity credits
Once planning permission is granted (subject to exemptions), developers must submit a Biodiversity Gain Plan and obtain approval from the local planning authority before starting development.
Local Authorities Raising the Bar
Many local authorities are going beyond national requirements by introducing local policy requirements for BNG.
Emerging local plans often set higher BNG targets. For example:
- Uttlesford District Council proposes a minimum 20% BNG in its emerging Local Plan.
- Chelmsford City Council plans to require 20% BNG for the Chelmsford Garden Community and East Chelmsford Garden Community schemes.
Identifying Sites for Off-Site BNG
Local planning authorities are also running call for sites exercises to identify suitable locations for off-site BNG contributions. These exercises will inform emerging local plans.
For instance, Colchester City Council launched a BNG Call for Sites as part of its Local Plan Review, running from 14 June 2024 to 26 July 2024.
Expert Insights on BNG Opportunities
Peter Cole, Partner at Ceres Property and BNG specialist, said:
“BNG continues to offer significant opportunities for landowners. Higher policy requirements are likely to lead to higher demand for BNG land, creating potential and much-needed new income streams for landowners.”
James Firth, Partner at Ceres Property and planning expert, added:
“Local authorities are increasingly exceeding the government’s statutory requirements through new local policies. It’s an interesting trend that must be considered in planning applications and land promotion. It highlights the importance of developing a biodiversity gain strategy early in any planning project.”
How Ceres Property Supports Clients
Ceres Property monitors the latest BNG developments to keep clients informed about changes to local and national legislation and their impact on new development.
If you have any queries about BNG requirements, please contact our team—we’re here to help.