What is BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) aims to foster biodiversity by ensuring that development projects contribute positively to the overall biodiversity of a development site. In England, BNG is mandated under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by the Environment Act 2021. Essentially, BNG requires developments to deliver a net gain of at least 10% in natural habitat quality or quantity compared to the pre-development state, ensuring a measurable enhancement in biodiversity.
How is it Calculated?
BNG is calculated using the Biodiversity Metric, a tool designed to evaluate changes in habitat extent and quality. Typically employed by ecologists, the metric considers four key factors: habitat size, condition, distinctiveness, and location. This assessment involves understanding the size of the habitat, its functional status compared to an optimal state, its ecological significance, and whether it aligns with local priorities or designated areas for habitat creation or enhancement. These criteria provide a comprehensive evaluation framework to measure the success of BNG initiatives in promoting biodiversity.
How BNG can be achieved
Achieving a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will be achieved with three main options: Firstly, on-site enhancement and restoration within the red line boundary of the development site. Secondly, if full BNG is challenging on-site, developers can opt for a blend of on-site and off-site strategies, making gains on their own land outside the development site or purchasing off-site biodiversity units. Thirdly, as a last resort, developers unable to achieve on-site or off-site BNG can buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government. Developers are encouraged to combine these options strategically, ensuring that the steps are followed in a specified order. On-site gains can be through habitat creation and enhancement, incorporating landscaping and green infrastructure. Off-site gains are facilitated through habitat banks, involving collaboration with public and private landowners. Statutory credits are reserved for instances when on-site and off-site solutions are unattainable, supporting large-scale habitat projects with high ecological value and long-term nature-based solutions.
What can be achieved through BNG?
It aims to enhancer nature recovery through the improvement or establishment of habitats. It supports thriving species, aids wildlife adaptation to climate change, and aligns with the government vision of creating ‘more significant, better, and connected’ green and blue networks as outlined in Local Nature Recovery Strategies and strategic plans.
The aim is also that it will help promote health and well-being by creating or enhancing greenspaces and fostering a closer connection to nature within communities. It plays a role in crafting more appealing living and working spaces, contributing to place-making initiatives. Additionally, BNG offers financial support for new or existing green infrastructure, enhancing the resilience of towns, cities, coasts, and infrastructure, thereby aiding climate change adaptation and supporting corporate and government Net Zero targets.
It can transform neighbourhoods into environmentally friendly and appealing spaces for residents and businesses. BNG offers landowners a pathway to long-term income through sustainable habitat management, fostering economic stability, creating jobs, and bolstering financial and natural capital asset values.
BNG helps reduce climate change by restoring and safeguarding nature. It involves initiatives like creating woodlands to absorb carbon dioxide. It engages local communities in climate adaptation through projects like tree planting and maintenance, enhancing resilience to extreme weather, such as heatwaves and flooding, using green and blue spaces for shading and cooling effects, and vegetated surfaces to reduce flood risk in urban areas.
How will BNG affect planning applications?
BNG will be a mandatory requirement for certain types of planning application from the 12th February 2024.
- Major developments – Mandatory for residential projects with 10 or more dwellings or sites larger than 0.5 hectares (excluding applications for retrospective permission)
- Smaller sites – Mandatory for residential developments with 1 to 9 dwellings or a site area less than 0.5 hectares, and commercial developments with floor space under 1,000 square meters or a total area less than 1 hectare from an extended transition period. Will be mandatory from 2nd April 2024.
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects – Becomes mandatory from late November 2025.
. Other routes to planning permission, like deemed permissions or Local Development Orders, are not initially subject to mandatory BNG.
RTPI Webinar
RTPI are hosting a webinar ‘BNG for planners – a practical approach for successful implementation’ on the 6th February 2024, where industry experts will share the key things to help local authorities implement the policy.
Topics will include:
- A summary of the latest regulations and guidance released by government
- Practical tips for implementing BNG, including time-saving options and helpful resources