Biodiversity Net Gain Berkshire: Understanding BNG

In order to protect, grow and enhance the natural environment, the six Berkshire local authorities require biodiversity net gain of at least 10% for all development projects. These councils include, Bracknell Forest Council, West Berkshire Council, Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, and Wokingham Borough Council.

In England, BNG is mandatory under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021). Developers must ensure that biodiversity net gain is sustained for a span of at least 30 years. If the required BNG levels are not achieved at the outset, a mitigation hierarchy should be applied to ensure the project eventually meets the required standard. Alternatively, developers must purchase biodiversity units elsewhere.

Enhancing biodiversity net gain is particularly important for protected or high-value nature conservation areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. BNG has already been widely implemented as part of local nature recovery strategies and the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Planning Practice Guidance for Biodiversity Net Gain for England can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Biodiversity net gain is required for all major developments, including residential projects that host 10 or more dwellings or sites that span more than 0.5 hectares.

Since April 2024, smaller sites must also follow BNG principles. These include residential developments with 1 to 9 dwellings or sites smaller than 0.5 hectares, as well as commercial developments where the floor space created is under 1000 square meters, or the site area is less than 1 hectare.

There are 10 vital good practice principles of biodiversity net gain that can help a project to achieve a minimum 10% improvement if they are implemented. The mandatory net gain principles include the following:

• Utilise the mitigation hierarchy to minimise the impact on biodiversity
• Eliminate any negative impacts of development on biodiversity
• Communicate each BNG outcome with complete transparency
• Cover all areas of sustainability, including societal and economic factors
• Involve any pre and post-development stakeholders in creating mandatory BNG solutions
• Focus on producing lasting natural benefits for biodiversity to leave a site and local wildlife in an improved state
• Understand the variable factors and potential risks in order to deliver BNG
• Attempt to exceed the base level requirement for biodiversity gains where possible
• Determine a suitable method in order to secure measurable on-site BNG gains
• Ensure the best possible results from biodiversity net gain

Those unsure of how statutory biodiversity net gain delivery may apply or affect a planning application should contact the local planning authority. If it is implied that your development may become heavily impacted, we recommend that you contact an experienced ecologist as soon as possible.

This way, you can discuss whether your development plans meet the required standards as well as any steps you may need to take in order to meet development planning requirements.

At Collington Winter, our team has a strong track record of ensuring there is a gain in biodiversity on or off development sites in Berkshire. Our ecologist team will provide guidance throughout the planning process, supported by a visit to your site to best inform a BNG plan and to perform any recommended ecological reports.

Our consultants will complete a habitat classification assessment using a Statutory Biodiversity Metric (previously the Defra Biodiversity Metric 4.0). The data will then be used to calculate a number of biodiversity units to measure changes to the natural environment before and after the development. The results of the assessment will then be converted into a habitat management and monitoring plan that promotes biodiversity.

Our experienced team of ecologist consultants and landscape architects hold Natural England licences and work with clients across England and Wales, including Berkshire, to meet the necessary BNG requirements for a successful project. From minor projects to large-scale developments, we have provided policy guidance, project recommendations and clarification on the principles of BNG to meet the needs of Berkshire County Council.

To find out more about Collington Winter’s approach to biodiversity net gain, Berkshire, in order to see that developments can be granted planning, please get in touch with a member of our team using the contact form below.