Biodiversity Net Gain Kent: Understanding BNG

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) refers to the process used by developers and local planning authorities to consider the long term effects that a project may have in terms of biodiversity. It aims to leave biodiversity in the area in a better state than it was prior to completion of the project. Developers can achieve biodiversity net gain by mitigating biodiversity loss, retaining various habitat types and protecting any assets of strategic significance.

Due to relevant national legislation, biodiversity net gain is soon to become mandatory in all parts of England, including Kent. Most local planning authorities are now requesting biodiversity net gain and nature recovery to determine whether planning applications are potentially viable.

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Biodiversity Net Gain Kent

In order to protect, grow and enhance the natural environment, the Kent Nature Partnership are encouraging biodiversity net gain of 20 per cent following measures contained in their supplementary planning document (SPD). The document states that Kent is home to many European protected species, as well as sites of special scientific interest.

The Environment Bill was passed this year as it received royal assent. Therefore, BNG will soon become mandatory through the forthcoming Environment Act in 2023.

Under the Environment Act 2021, a development project must increase the biodiversity of an area by 10% or more. This means that the county’s planning authorities have doubled the statutory minimum for developments in the area by increasing the requirement to 20% to reach higher BNG levels.

Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain, Kent

If you are unsure of how mandatory biodiversity net gain delivery may affect your planning application, you should contact Kent’s planning authorities. If they indicate that your development could be significantly impacted, we recommend that you contact an experienced ecologist as soon as possible. They can discuss whether your development plans meet the required standards as well as any measures you may need to take in order to meet the biodiversity standards.

At Collington Winter, our team has strong experience completing biodiversity net gain, Kent, and will provide guidance throughout the planning process. We can ensure that one of our experienced biodiversity ecologists visits your development site to create and develop any necessary biodiversity net gain plans and any required BNG reports.

Our ecologists will complete a habitat classification assessment, and the data is entered into BNG units to measure changes to the natural environment, pre and post development. This metric is currently Defra Biodiversity Metric 3.0. Landscape planting plans and management plans are used to inform post development measures.

Contact us

Please get in touch if you would like further information about Kent’s county wide approach to BNG. We are happy to offer free CPD sessions on the Biodiversity Net Gain Principles and how we can help your schemes achieve this.

Our team of ecologists and landscape architects have helped numerous clients over the years. This includes matters regarding policy guidance for Kent biodiversity net gain from Kent County Council. Our Ecology Director, Olicia 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.

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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