Plymouth Biodiversity Net Gain: Understanding BNG

Plymouth City Council is committed to restoring nature and protecting existing habitats by incorporating biodiversity gain into planning policy. Aligning with national guidance, the Council has introduced a baseline requirement of a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for all new developments.

Each project must demonstrate a measurable improvement to biodiversity that can be sustained for a minimum of 30 years. This commitment must be clearly detailed and supported by evidence within the planning application documents. Where achieving BNG on-site is not feasible, developers are required to deliver equivalent gains off-site by purchasing biodiversity credits from habitat banks.

Inclusive to developments of all sizes, both minor and major developments should be supplemented with a BNG plan. For larger infrastructure projects, this applies to residential projects that host 10 or more dwellings or sites that span more than 0.5 hectares. Minor developments are also included, such as projects 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 showcase a conscious effort towards the BNG requirement. Outlined below are the mandatory net gain principles to successfully achieve BNG:

• 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-development stakeholders in creating mandatory BNG solutions. Those involved after development should also be included in the process.
• Focus on producing sustainable 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

BNG places a responsibility on developers to actively contribute to the protection and enhancement of valuable habitats. If you are unsure how Biodiversity Net Gain might influence your planning application, it is advisable to consult your local authority or seek guidance from a qualified ecologist early in the process – particularly if your development may have significant environmental implications.

Our team of ecological consultants can conduct a comprehensive habitat assessment using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (previously Defra Metric 4.0) to determine biodiversity units. Based on the findings, we will develop a long term habitat management plan that aligns with local nature recovery strategies, helping to ensure your project meets the necessary biodiversity net gain requirements.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our ecology team is licensed by Natural England and serve a diverse client base across England and Wales, including in the Plymouth region.

From small-scale developments to major projects, we assist developers in understanding and implementing the key principles of BNG. With extensive experience, our specialists are well-prepared to develop tailored BNG plans that comply with the specific requirements set by Plymouth City Council and national trusts.

To learn more about our approach to biodiversity net gain in Plymouth, get in touch with our team at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, or simply complete the contact form below.