Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth and Net Gain is an overall measurable improvement. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is not about replacing, but about improving and enhancing the variety of life. It is one form of ecological enhancement.
The rapid degradation of habitat and species biodiversity has led policy makers to seek solutions. BNG is development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before, requiring a 10% increase in biodiversity after development, compared to the level before. It is an approach where developers work with all stakeholders to support their priorities for nature conservation.
Biodiversity Gain Plans
BNG is being increasingly adopted by planning authorities in Yorkshire and elsewhere. In many authorities, for planning permission to be granted developers must submit a biodiversity gain plan detailing exactly how a 10% uplift in biodiversity will be achieved.
How it works
- The developer uses DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric tool to calculate the pre-development biodiversity units and a projected post-development value
- Any proposed development resulting in a biodiversity loss (taking into account the mandatory 10% uplift) will have to source the missing biodiversity units
- Additional biodiversity units can come from habitat enhancement onsite or offsite
Quants Environmental has suitably qualified and experienced Ecologists (SQEs) able to assess the biodiversity of a site and calculate its value, including using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric. It is important to involve the SQE at the earliest stage of development. Our Ecologists have experience in habitat creation and the provision of long-term biodiversity management plans, as well as knowledge of local planning requirements within Yorkshire and Humberside.