Biodiversity Net Gain Essex: Understanding BNG

With the intention of protecting the natural environment and encouraging nature recovery after developments take place, Essex County Council requires a minimum net gain of 10%, for all proposed development projects. Planning projects must also deliver biodiversity net gain that is sustained for at least 30 years. If BNG is not possible at the location of development, developers must offset biodiversity elsewhere by purchasing off-site biodiversity net gain credits.

Further information on specific BNG requirements and Planning Practice Guidance for biodiversity net gain can be found on the GOV.UK website.

BNG is required 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, as well as commercial developments where the floor space created is under 1000 square metres, 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 reach the minimum requirement of 10% if they are implemented. Outlined below are the mandatory net gain principles:

• Utilise the mitigation hierarchy to minimise the impact on biodiversity
• Remove the possibility of 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 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 assess whether your development plans meet the local project requirements as well as any steps you may need to take in order to meet BNG standards.

Our ecological consultants will complete a habitat classification assessment using the 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 to achieve net gain.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our team of ecology experts hold Natural England licences and work with a number of clients across England and Wales, including those in Essex. For a wide range of projects varying in scale and complexity, we can provide policy guidance, project recommendations and clarification on the principles of BNG to meet the needs of Essex council.

To find out more about Collington Winter’s approach to biodiversity net gain, Essex, we encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, or by using the contact form below.