In England, biodiversity net gain is required under a statutory framework introduced by Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Environment Act 2021). Unless exempt, all new developments must deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value relative to the pre-development biodiversity value of the onsite habitat. This increase can be achieved through onsite biodiversity gains, registered offsite biodiversity gains or statutory biodiversity credits.

 

The process itself follows the mitigation hierarchy, which sets out that everything possible must be done to firstly avoid, secondly minimise and thirdly restore / compensate losses of biodiversity on-site. Only as a last resort, residual losses are compensated for using biodiversity offsets.

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The Statutory Biodiversity Metric is used to quantify the biodiversity value of  baseline habitats present on site, and those proposed under the current design of the post-development landscape. Data on baseline habitat extent and condition is often collected during initial site surveys or may be undertaken separately depending on habitat types and time of year. The results are presented within the relevant reports to support and validate a planning application.

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Once planning permission has been approved. Ecosurv can prepare completed Metrics,  Biodiversity Net Gain Plans and a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMP), required to discharge the gain condition.

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BNG assessment reports are intended to provide a detailed insight into the adherence of a Proposed Development to the BNG Good Practice Principles. To demonstrate a positive biodiversity outcome using this process, any given project is assessed against the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Biodiversity Net Gain Good Practice Principles.

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The team at Ecosurv Ltd are experienced in undertaking baseline habitat and habitat condition surveys, applying the principles of BNG and providing project specific advice and recommendations to identify whether the development design will likely achieve a net gain, net loss, or no net loss (NNL) for biodiversity; and can demonstrate policy compliance in support of any decision-making.