Biodiversity Net Gain Tyne and Wear: Understanding BNG

The vast landscape of Tyne and Wear is home to rich biodiversity, including historical woodlands, species-rich grasslands, and protected wetlands. These natural environments support rare and threatened species, making their protection and enhancement a key part of the planning system.

To support these natural assets, developers are encouraged to work with the Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) in mind. This ensures developments deliver measurable biodiversity improvements that align with regional priorities, such as enhancing the country’s hedgerows, reconnecting wildlife corridors that have been forgotten, and protecting habitats for key species like water voles, skylarks, and great crested newts.

In situations where on-site biodiversity enhancement is not feasible, whether it be due to space constraints or existing land use, both North and South Tyneside Councils push the initiative of off-site biodiversity units. These can be purchased through recognised habitat banks or biodiversity offset providers, ensuring gains are delivered within ecologically relevant locations.

Popular off-site interventions include woodland creation, peatland and wetland restoration, and the rewilding of degraded farmland. All enhancements must be maintained and monitored for at least 30 years, with encouragement to last into the future to continue to deliver the positive effects of BNG units.

BNG applies to all types of developments, including:

• Residential developments with 10+ homes or sites larger than 0.5 hectares.
• Commercial or industrial building with over 1,000m² floorspace.
• Smaller scale projects, which may still need to meet BNG criteria depending on local authority guidance.

The goal of BNG is not simply to offset the harm caused by development, but to embed nature-positive outcomes into long-term planning. This involves a structured process of site analysis, mitigation, and boosting habitats – creating net positive contributions to biodiversity rather than just minimising damage.

To meet BNG requirements, our ecological consultants work side by side with developers to use Natural England Biodiversity Metric tools, allowing them to quantify baseline habitat conditions and predict gains after the development is completed. Monitoring, management plans, and ongoing stewardship are also required to ensure that promised gains will continue into the future.

There are ten guiding principles that underpin successful BNG development plans:

1. Follow the mitigation hierarchy to reduce biodiversity loss.
2. Avoid impacting irreplaceable habitats.
3. Work collaboratively and transparently with stakeholders.
4. Promote sustainability across ecological, social, and economic dimensions.
5. Engage with specialists and local communities throughout the project lifecycle.
6. Deliver measurable, long-term improvements to biodiversity.
7. Account for risks and changes over time.
8. Aim to exceed the 10% requirements when possible.
9. Use the latest biodiversity metric tools/
10. Ensure projects provide lasting value for nature.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our team of ecologists and environmental consultants works with developers and land managers across Tyne and Wear to ensure BNG compliance. We assess habitats using the latest statutory biodiversity metrics and put together detailed biodiversity net gain plans to guide developers through this sometimes tricky part of their development journey.

Our experts are familiar with local planning authorities’ policies and requirements, and we offer practical, tailored advice to support an application with the health and wellbeing of habitats in mind.

Whether you’re managing a housing project in the North or South of Tyne and Wear, our consultants can offer vital insights into national and local planning policy to help you meet your obligations with the environment in mind. This expertise extends to Newcastle City Council.

To learn more or speak to an ecological consultant about how we can help your development site achieve BNG, contact us at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk or fill out the contact form below.