Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a mandatory requirement in England, under the Environment Act 2021, ensuring development projects leave the natural environment in a better state than beforehand. Developers must deliver a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity value, either on-site, off-site, or via statutory credits, for most developments.
Exemptions exist for specific, small-scale developments, such as some self-build projects. The policy aims to ensure that new construction contributes positively to nature recovery rather than causing a net loss of biodiversity.
The Council’s Validation Checklist For Planning and Other Applications contains details of the information required to be submitted with applications for planning permission.
Biodiversity Duty
Under the Environment Act 2021, all public authorities in England are subject to a strengthened Biodiversity Duty, requiring them to consider what action they can take to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of their functions.
Click the following link to see the Council’s Biodiversity Net Gain Duty Report which covers the period 1 January 2023 to 1 January 2026.