Ecology for Planning | Biodiversity Net Gain

What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

As of the 12th February 2024 all Town and Country Planning Act development, unless exempt, must deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity value. This legislation, as inserted into the TCPA by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021, requires that all granted planning permissions are subject to the biodiversity gain condition.

A Biodiversity Gain Plan must be submitted and approved by the planning authority to show how the development aims to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity value.

This Biodiversity Net Gain is calculated using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric; a habitat-based approach to determining a proxy biodiversity value, identifying the relative loss or gain in biodiversity based on extent of habitats pre- and post-development.

Does my development require a BNG assessment?

The vast majority of developments that require outline planning or full planning permission will need to deliver 10% BNG; however, there are certain exemptions to which the BNG planning condition does not apply.

Developments which do not impact more than 25m² of measurable habitat, self-build or custom build applications, householder applications and permitted development are all exempt from BNG.

Why use Peak Ecology?

Peak Ecology has a proven track record of engaging stakeholders and successfully achieving BNG for a variety of different developments and projects, whilst recognising that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. We have suitably qualified staff with the skills, experience and expertise to advise and assist clients in the most appropriate and cost-efficient approaches to delivering and reporting on BNG, including providing an audit trail for future monitoring.

We can detail and demonstrate as part of a planning application how the requirements of the ten BNG Good Practice Principles are to be met, alongside how plans and proposals can contribute to specific Local Authority biodiversity and green infrastructure plans, strategies and policies.

If you are interested in any of our services, don’t hesitate to contact us >>