Biodiversity Net Gain Conwy: Understanding BNG

To maintain a thriving natural environment, Natural Resources for Wales and Conwy County Borough Council require a ‘net benefit for biodiversity’ for development projects to reach. In Wales, Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) is mandatory in the Environment Wales Act 2016. The Act also gives public authorities the duty of promoting the resilience of ecosystems.

Welsh National Planning Policy for a net gain of biodiversity can be found on the Welsh Government website.

A net gain of biodiversity is required for developments of all sizes. As Wales does not require a base level of 10% Net Benefit for Biodiversity, developments should implement a plan to reflect the size and stature of their development, including adequate net gain provisions to suit the needs of the specific development.

This means proposals may face having planning refused if NBB elements are not included.

Although the Welsh Planning Policy does not specify how much benefit should be delivered, or for how long it should be maintained, local planning authorities must make sure that an appropriate and proportionate benefit is delivered to development sites in Wales.

Similar to the 10 vital good practice principles of biodiversity net gain that can help a project to achieve BNG in England, Natural Resources Wales developed the “DECCA Framework”. This provides projects in Wales with the following attributes to target and improve:

• Diversity – Maintaining and enhancing diversity at all levels and scales
• Extent – Incorporating measures to maintain and increase semi-natural habitat areas and linkages
• Condition – The condition affected by factors like climate change, invasive species, recreation, etc.
• Connectivity – Maintaining/creating links between and within habitats
• Aspects of resilience – The product of the above four attributes

Developers who may be unsure of how biodiversity net gain delivery could affect their 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 local project requirements as well as any steps you may need to take to meet development planning standards.

At Collington Winter, our ecological professionals have extensive experience in constructing biodiversity net gain plans for development sites in Conwy and the wider Wales landscape. Our ecologist team will provide guidance throughout the planning process, supported by a visit to your site 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 results of the assessment will then be converted into a habitat management and monitoring plan that has biodiversity as its focus.

At Collington Winter, our experienced team of ecologist consultants hold Natural England licences and work with numerous clients across England and Wales, including those in Conwy.

From minor projects to large-scale developments, we can provide policy guidance, project recommendations and clarification on the principles of NBB/BNG to meet the needs of Conwy County Council.

To make an enquiry or to discuss more about Collington Winter’s approach to biodiversity net gain, Conwy, we encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team using the contact form below.