It’s exciting to think that biodiversity net gain (BNG) has been mandatory for major developments for nine months now, and smaller developments for seven.
With its system of incentives to encourage reduced impact on habitats, its tool to calculate biodiversity value, and the emerging private market for biodiversity units, BNG is genuinely a world-leading policy.
We are all eager to see improvements to biodiversity, but this is a marathon not a sprint.
BNG applies as a ‘post permission requirement’ to ensure that site designs are finalised before the biodiversity units needed are calculated. That means we are only recently beginning to see increasing numbers of developments come through with the biodiversity gain condition applied.
I wanted to share my reflections on the progress we’ve seen, as well as the areas we’re keeping an eye on as the policy is bedded in.
Local authorities have been doing their part
Through the Planning Advisory Service, we have been working closely with local planning authorities. We’ve been impressed by their willingness to learn about and engage with BNG.
Planning authorities are scrutinising planning applications to ensure the 10% BNG requirement is being correctly applied, and entering into legal agreements with off-site habitat bank operators in their area. Some are even using their own land to boost the local market for biodiversity units.
To support local planning authorities with applications, the Planning Advisory Service have provided resources including FAQs, webinars and case studies.
The off-site biodiversity market is growing
Natural England’s BNG register records places providing off-site biodiversity units, for when a developer cannot deliver biodiversity gains on the same site as the development.
We have seen a slow but steady number of off-site habitats being added to the register. There are currently 19 gain sites on the register, totalling over 500 hectares of habitat. We anticipate this will increase as the off-site market develops.
We are also making progress with the designation of responsible bodies, with 17 now designated at the time of writing, including 9 councils.
Responsible bodies are local authorities, charities or public groups who can enter into legal agreements with landowners and take responsibility for the integrity of off-site BNG units.
These designations will help to increase the number of gain sites available for off-site BNG going forward.
We’ve improved user tools and guidance
In July, we made improvements to the BNG metric tool and user guide, in response to user feedback.
Our changes do not impact the calculation of biodiversity value, but they should improve the user experience.
We have also recently updated our guidance on:
We will continue to refine our GOV.UK guidance as necessary.
Exemptions to biodiversity net gain are working as expected
Some developments are exempt from BNG.
We have heard some concerns about the number of applications receiving planning permission that are exempt from BNG. We are collecting more data on the details, but early indications are that the system is working as intended.
Developments that have low or no biodiversity impact, such as those on tarmac or household extensions, do not need to deliver a gain. This exemption ensures that BNG is applied proportionately, and encourages developers to avoid impacting biodiversity in the first place.
Because householder applications (exempt from BNG) make up the majority of planning applications, we would always expect a lower number of applications for developments that do deliver a net gain.
These applications will be the ones that are impacting biodiversity and where, as a result of BNG, we will see actual biodiversity improvements.
Looking ahead
We will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the country to develop the policy. We’re also starting to see the emergence of exciting technology to support stakeholders with BNG compliance.
It’s not often you get to be a part of the start of lasting change – so, thank you to all whom have been involved in this process, and for being a part of the journey!
5 comments
Comment by Angus Walker posted on
Great reflections, it has been quite a journey and is beginning to have a real impact on restoring nature.
Delighted to have been involved and looking forward to getting more involved!
Comment by henry kenner posted on
Still looking to see where DEFRA/Natural England develops the policy to include bird nesting chambers within the BNG calculation; currently they are excluded, but given certain bird species experience the vast majority of their breeding in man-made nest chambers this anomaly needs to be corrected; easily done if appropriate anti-abuse drafting is applied.
Comment by jessicaeverett posted on
Hi Henry,
The BNG team said you’re right, species features (like swift bricks, and bat and bird boxes) are not currently included in the statutory biodiversity metric.
This is because biodiversity net gain is designed to address habitat loss from development. Natural or semi-natural habitats typically support thousands of species, but species features only support one or a few species. So, allowing habitat loss in exchange for species features wouldn’t be a good outcome for nature.
Evidence also suggests that natural habitats for foraging and other purposes are more important to wildlife than nesting sites.
Thanks,
Jess (The Blog Team)
Comment by Ian Hambleton posted on
Still a big fan of the Legislation. BNG is simple and logical (brings improvements in Nature closer to home)
Of course there will be some teething problems as it kicks in but very excited to lead the world in this area. I predict it will rollout internationally in time.
Comment by Chris Manning posted on
Very early days, a garage conversion locally required 1x Biodiversity Assessment and 2x Ecological Assessments! That’s a huge expense and it delivers and reportedly delivers >850% net gain which is clearly a very flaws outcome.
In time these bizarre results will be filtered out as the system evolves. BNG promises a secure financial future for re-wilding sites, but might not be as successfully for all habitats, again that can be fixed.