Habitat Banking Leeds: Planning and Development
Habitat banking is a conservation tool that allows developers to compensate for unavoidable impacts on habitats by creating or restoring nature and habitats elsewhere. It operates through the creation of credits and biodiversity units, which represent a certain amount of habitat. Developers can purchase credits to offset the impacts of their projects on natural areas.
The goal of habitat banking is to conserve and manage habitats and ecosystems in a sustainable manner. This should be alongside opportunities for economic growth and development. This approach helps improve biodiversity net gain and ecological functions whilst mitigating any negative environmental impacts a development may have.
Habitat banking is being used more frequently for developments in Leeds to meet biodiversity requirements for planning permission. At Collington Winter, our team of ecologists will work with you to secure habitat banking, Leeds, for your development. We will create the best outcome for nature in your location.
Why is habitat banking required?
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) will soon become mandatory through the forthcoming Environment Act 2021 in November 2023. BNG refers to the process whereby a development 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.
Habitat banking is often required by local planning authorities in Leeds if a development fails to meet biodiversity requirements. It is used as a means of compensating for the loss of natural habitats due to development. Habitat banking, Leeds, also helps to deliver more and improved green spaces in more urban areas.
By requiring habitat banking, local planning authorities aim to ensure that development projects do not negatively impact the natural environment. This will also contribute to the long term preservation of natural resources for a minimum of 30 years.
How large does a habitat bank need to be?
The size of a habitat bank varies depending on the specific requirements of the local planning authority. The type and size of the development project it is intended to offset can be an important factor.
The size of the habitat bank may be based on a variety of other factors. These can include the area of habitat impacted by the development project, the type of habitat being protected, and the species it supports. The goal is to create a bank that provides sufficient compensation for the loss of natural habitat.
How can Collington Winter assist?
At Collington Winter, our ecologists have the knowledge and experience necessary to assist developers in meeting habitat banking Leeds requirements. Our team can assess your development site to determine which habitat banking methods would be suitable.
Please get in touch if you would like further information about habitat banking in Leeds. Our Ecology Director, Olivia Collington, holds a Natural England license. If you would like to find out more about the services we provide, feel free to contact us using the details below.
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