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Biodiversity Net Gain Bolton: How we can assist

Biodiversity net gain Bolton

Biodiversity net gain refers to the process whereby a development project considers the environmental impact in terms of biodiversity. It aims to ensure the biodiversity is left in a better state than before the development was completed. This is done by avoiding biodiversity loss, retaining various habitat types and protecting any assets of strategic significance and ecological features.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is being requested more frequently by Local planning authorities in Bolton to inform planning applications for planning permission. The aim is to demonstrate how the proposed development will be of benefit to biodiversity in a measurable manner. 

The Environment Act received Royal Assent in England in November 2021. It introduces a requirement to deliver biodiversity gain for developments in England. There is a two-year transition period before the net gain requirement becomes law (in autumn 2023).

biodiversity net gain cumbria

Biodiversity Net Gain Principles

According to the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), there are ten crucial good practice principles of biodiversity net gain. These should help to achieve BNG if they are followed accordingly. The mandatory biodiversity net gain principles include the following:

  • Utilise the mitigation hierarchy to minimise the impact on biodiversity
  • Eliminate any negative impacts on biodiversity
  • Communicate each BNG outcome with complete transparency
  • Cover all areas of sustainability, including societal and economic factors
  • Involve any pre-development and post-development stakeholders in creating mandatory net gain solutions
  • Focus on producing long-term natural environment benefits from BNG
  • Understand the variable factors and potential risks in order to achieve biodiversity and deliver net gain
  • Offer nature conservation that exceeds the stated BNG requirements
  • Determine a suitable method in order to secure measurable biodiversity net gains
  • Ensure the best possible results from biodiversity net gain

For case studies and a practical guide on biodiversity net gain principles, visit the CIEEM website.

Our team has strong experience completing biodiversity net gain, Bolton, and will provide guidance throughout the planning system process, from the initial land purchase agreements to monitoring assessments.

Implementing BNG

If you are currently unsure of how mandatory biodiversity net gain could affect your planning application in Bolton, you should contact your local planning authority. They can discuss your initial development plans in detail and whether they align with BNG requirements. If they indicate that your development could be impacted, we recommend that you get in touch with an experienced ecologist to discuss any measures you may need to take in order to meet the required standards.

At Collington Winter, our biodiversity team has strong experience completing biodiversity net gain and can provide guidance when planning projects. We can ensure that one of our experienced biodiversity consultants visit your development site to create and enhance any necessary biodiversity net gain plans and reports.

Our biodiversity net gain consultants will complete a biodiversity net gain assessment to gain a further understanding of the site. The data from this assessment will then be used alongside biodiversity metric 3.1 to determine a biodiversity rating for your site.

How can Collington Winter assist with achieving BNG?

Our team of biodiversity net gain consultants and landscape architects have helped numerous clients over the years, including policy guidance for biodiversity gain in Bolton and Greater Manchester. It is important to note that this varies across each local planning authority in the country. Biodiversity is something that we are qualified and experienced in, and we can offer advice on your development project.

We are determined to offer you the support you need in order to reach the required mandatory biodiversity bracket. Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England license. If you would like to find out more about biodiversity net gain, Bolton, feel free to contact us using the details below.

Contact Us

Registered Address

23 Bark Street East, 1st Floor, Bolton, BL1 2BQ

Cambridge Office

Future Business Centre, Cambridge Campus, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, CB4 2HY

Telephone

Head Office: 01204 939 608

Dumfries Office: 01387 378208

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