The objective of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is to make sure development has a measurable positive impact on biodiversity, compared to what was there before.  In England, BNG will become mandatory on 12th February 2024 for major developments and April 2024 for minor developments, under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021).  Developers must deliver a measurable BNG of at least 10%.

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At aLyne Ecology, we have been carrying out BNG assessments since the Defra Biodiversity Metric was introduced.  The final version of the metric (Statutory Biodiversity Metric) now needs to be applied to all BNG assessments.  We can advise on how BNG can be achieved through the biodiversity gain hierarchy; the sooner BNG is considered as part of the development design, the easier it is to achieve BNG on site.

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The baseline biodiversity units for a site are determined through a habitat survey (Preliminary Ecological Appraisal) and Habitat Condition Assessment.  The post-development biodiversity units are calculated from the Development Masterplan and Landscape Plan.  We then use the Statutory Biodiversity Metric to determine whether the change in biodiversity units is a net gain or net loss.  If BNG cannot be achieved on site, there is the option of creating habitats off-site to achieve the required minimum 10 % net gain for the development.  If this is not feasible for the project, then the final option is purchasing biodiversity credits.  This is something we can advise on.

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Your development may be exempt from BNG – you can find out here.  

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Our team of specialists are here to help you through the BNG process.  Feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have.  You may be interested in our blog about Statutory BNG, which can be found here.