New rules on how developments must provide additional biodiversity
Our precious habitats, with their unique plants and wildlife, are under threat, through pollution, loss of habitat and changing weather patterns due to climate change. Wildlife and habitats are being lost at an alarming rate.
Following the adoption of City Plan Part Two we have published new guidance for planning applicants and developers on how Biodiversity Net Gain will be achieved in Brighton & Hove, to help tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency we face.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular place.
The idea behind Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is that development should leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than it was before any development took place. BNG is demonstrated by using a measurement developed by the government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
When will BNG be required in Brighton & Hove?
We are phasing the implementation of requirements for measurable BNG. Initially, only major planning applications submitted after the adoption of City Plan Part 2 on 20th October 2022 will be required to provide measurable BNG.
It is currently anticipated that minor applications will be required to provide measurable BNG from autumn 2023. Full information on that will be published nearer the time.
How much BNG must a development deliver?
A minimum target of 10% biodiversity net gain is required, reflecting new national targets in the Environment Act. However, in Brighton & Hove this applies immediately, while the national target will not come into force until autumn 2023.
Net gains are additional to any mitigation or compensation that is required to address the impacts of the development on biodiversity.
Developments affected from 20 October 2022
Housing developments of 10 or more homes, or where the number of homes is not known and the site area is greater than 0.5 hectares, are now covered by these new requirements.
Non-residential developments with a floorspace of 1,000m2 or more, or where the floorspace is not known and the site area is greater than 1 hectare, also now come under the new rules.
Minor developments, those made by householders on their own home, changes of use, and applications made under permitted development or prior approval rules will not be subject to the new BNG requirement immediately. However, those applications should still include measures that support the enhancement of biodiversity. For example, by including bee bricks, swift bricks or biodiverse landscaping.
Management and monitoring
BNG will be required to be managed and monitored for a period of 30 years. It will be the landowner or developer’s responsibility to ensure monitoring and reporting obligations are fulfilled.
Detailed advice note
Comprehensive information on these new requirements, including what is required to support a planning application, is available on the Biodiversity Net Gain pages in the planning section of our website.
Councillor Elaine Hills, a member of the council’s Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “Development, whether that’s changes to our own homes or properties, or major new housing or commercial property schemes, needs to be future proofed to ensure it is resilient to the climate changes we face and that it tackles the causes.
“Until now, developers have been required to take action to ensure their plans do not result in a loss of biodiversity.
“In Brighton & Hove, our City Plan Part 2 policies go further than this.
“Major developments must now demonstrate they can achieve a measurable net gain in biodiversity. They will have to leave biodiversity in a better state than it was before any development took place.
“And we are introducing that well ahead of the government’s intention to make it mandatory next year.
“As a council committed to tackling our climate and biodiversity emergency, we hope that planning applicants will go further than the 10% BNG target to help us protect our environment for future generations.”
You can find out more about how City Plan Part Two's policies will help tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies on this video.
