Biodiversity Net Gain Buckinghamshire: Understanding BNG

In order to protect the natural environment, Buckinghamshire Council require a biodiversity net gain of at least 10% for all development projects.

In England and Wales, BNG is mandatory under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021). New development projects must deliver biodiversity net gain that remains sustainable for at least 30 years. If the required BNG levels are not achieved at the outset, developers should apply the mitigation hierarchy. This is to ensure the project eventually meets the required standard. Alternatively, if a positive BNG effort is not possible on-site, developers must purchase biodiversity credits elsewhere.

Enhancing biodiversity net gain is particularly important for protected or high-value nature conservation areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. BNG had long been a standard request for many local councils and was 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 can be expected for developments of all sizes. For larger projects, this applies to residential projects that host 10 or more dwellings or sites that span more than 0.5 hectares. Furthermore, BNG covers minor developments such as residential developments with 1 to 9 dwellings or sites smaller than 0.5 hectares. Commercial developments where the floor space created is under 1000 square metres are also included.

There are 10 crucial good practice principles of biodiversity net gain that can help a project achieve the expected 10% improvement if they are implemented into a BNG plan. 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 biodiversity net gain requirement 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 suggested that your development may face difficulties regarding BNG, we recommend that you contact an experienced ecologist as soon as possible.

This way, you can discuss whether your development plans meet BNG requirements as well as the specific approach and planning system to put in place to meet development planning standards.

At Collington Winter, our biodiversity-focused team has a proven track record of ensuring an increase in biodiversity at development sites in Buckinghamshire. Our ecologist team will provide guidance throughout the planning process, supported by a visit to your site. This visit will enable our consultants to best inform a BNG plan, identify any biodiversity opportunity areas and perform any recommended ecological reports.

Our consultants will complete a habitat classification assessment using the latest version of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (previously the Defra Metric 4.0). They will then use the data 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.

At Collington Winter, our team of ecology professionals hold Natural England licences and work with numerous clients across England and Wales, including Buckinghamshire. From minor projects to large-scale developments, we can provide policy guidance, project recommendations and clarification on the principles of BNG to meet the needs of Buckinghamshire Council.

To find out more about Collington Winter’s approach to biodiversity net gain, Buckinghamshire, please get in touch with a member of our team using the contact form below.