More construction schemes to improve local biodiversity
Under the Environment Act 2021 almost all major planning permissions granted in England have had to deliver at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) since 12 February 2024.
This means that developments need to leave wildlife habitats in a better state than before construction has taken place.
New rules
From 2 April 2024 Biodiversity Net Gain will also be required for small sites and minor planning applications. That is schemes providing less than 10 dwellings on a site smaller than 0.5 hectares or, for non-residential schemes, where the floor space created is less than 1000m2 or where the site area is less than 1 hectare.
BNG does not apply to householder planning applications, to schemes covered by permitted development or to small-scale self-build schemes. There are other exemptions as well.
The government has produced a Biodiversity Metric which calculates the before and after biodiversity value of a development in “biodiversity units”. There is now a specific metric for small sites.
Increasing biodiversity in the city
Councillor Liz Loughran, chair of the Planning Committee, said: “A prudent developer will plan for biodiversity net gain well in advance as measures to enhance the environment are best planned from the early days of a scheme.
“In special cases, if they cannot be agreed on site, we may consider an off-site solution.
“These measures will help to safeguard and improve the quality of our environment, which will improve its sustainability. Nationally major developments account for less than 10% of all non-householder planning applications granted. The extension of BNG requirements to smaller developments is another important step in increasing biodiversity in the city.”
About BNG
The word biodiversity comes from the term ‘biological diversity’. It refers to the variety of all living organisms, including animals, insects, plants, bacteria and fungi.
The aim of BNG is to achieve measurable biodiversity gains within the planning and development process. It is a way of protecting, creating and improving natural habitats within new developments to show positive ‘net gains’ in biodiversity, compared to what was there before development.
For individual developments this is usually through measures to improve biodiversity within the site being developed, but where this is not possible on the site itself off-site BNG can be provided for at local strategic sites, such as Local Wildlife Sites.
More information about Biodiversity Net Gain, what type and scale of development BNG applies to, what is required to support a planning application, and how to complete a Biodiversity Metric can be found on our website BNG pages.
Biodiversity and supporting the city to net zero
As well as Biodiversity Net Gain, two other key responsibilities for councils coming out of the 2021 Environment Act are:
• Strengthened Biodiversity Duty – this requires councils to report on how they are conserving and enhancing biodiversity, and
• Local Nature Recovery Strategies – Brighton & Hove is part of an exciting programme to create a nature recovery plan with East Sussex.
