Biodiversity net gain

Qualifying developments will have to demonstrate, and then deliver, measurable net gains for biodiversity which must be secured, managed, and monitored.

The exact requirements, and methods are different for different categories of application.

The requirement for biodiversity net gain doesn’t alter existing requirements and protections for the natural environment such as protecting important habitats and species. These must be achieved alongside providing BNG.

Major planning applcations

All applications for a major development submitted from the 12 February 2024 will have to meet new biodiversity requirements. 

Major planning applications will be expected to deliver a minimum of 10% biodiversity gains, with habitat management and monitoring secured for at least 30 years.

A major development requiring BNG is

• erection of 10 or more dwellings or housing development on a site 0.5 hectare or more;
• erection of a builidng or buildings where the floor space to be created is 1,000m2 or more;
• development on a site 1 hectare or more
• minerals and waste development

The gains must be calculated using the  main government metric.

The metric shall be complted by a competant person.

Guidance has been published on the  GOV.UK website to assist users.

Minor planning applications

From April 2024 all planning applications for new development (excluding works to domestic properties) will have to meet new biodiversity requirements.

Minor planning applications are expected to demonstrate no net loss, and appropriate net gain, using the latest DEFRA Small Sites metric (or agreed equivalent) - from April 2024.

Further information on qualifying criteria is due to be published by the government prior to this requirement applying.

Exemptions

Developments exempt from BNG regulations:

• biodiversity gain sites, developments undertaken for the purpose of fulfilling the BNG planning condition for another development;
• householder applications;
• self-build and custom build application for fewer than 10 houses on a site no larger than 0.5 ha;
• HS2 applications, Crown development, Development Consent Orders;
• temporary use of which any habitat lost will be fully reinstated within two years of impact; 
• developments below the threshold, meaning the application impacts less than 25 square metres of non-zero distinctiveness habitat, and, less than 5m of hedgerow, and, less than 5m of watercourse, and, does not impact any priority habitat.

Further info can be viewed on the government website.

However, we will still expect such applications to show they have considered biodiversity, and to deliver habitat and species enhancements, as part of a planning application. These could include simple additions, such as the provision of integrated bird and bat boxes, or the use of native and nectar-rich species within landscaping schemes, for example