Need an ecology survey in Bolton?

Gains for the Natural World

Respect for nature is at the heart of the biodiversity net gain concept introduced to limit the detrimental effects of development projects on the natural world. Biodiversity net gain bng became part of planning law under the Environment Act 2021, and now developers must demonstrate how a completed scheme will achieve a biodiversity gain of 10%.

Bolton Council will require evidence of how a development site will create the required amount of net gain by reference to a biodiversity net gain plan.

The background to biodiversity net gain  

To counter concerns about the UK’s diminishing biodiversity levels, biodiversity net gain has evolved to ensure that development sites leave nature in a `measurably better state’. Biodiversity net gain was first introduced in the Environment Bill, which became the Environment Act 2021 on receiving royal assent. Biodiversity net gain was introduced over a two-year transition period: the UK government announced that the policy would become mandatory from November 2023 in England for major sites and small sites of nine units or less, and from April 2024 it applied to smaller sites.

Biodiversity net gain principles are now established in the National Planning Policy Framework. Applications for planning permission for developments in England must now provide evidence that a development project will provide a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity net gain, and that the improvements will be maintained for the long term – at least 30 years. This evidence can be provided via a biodiversity net gain plan completed by an ecological consultant who will use the latest version of the Defra biodiversity metric to obtain a measured biodiversity net gain reading.

Biodiversity net gain applies to a large number of development schemes in England and the policy is now an integral part of the planning process for future development projects. There are few exemptions and refusal to comply with biodiversity net gain directives is likely to result in local authorities imposing financial penalties and delays to planning applications.

Biodiversity net gain Bolton Council

Biodiversity net gain is a key element of the Bolton Climate Change Strategy which aims to promote a sustainable future. Initiatives include enhancing biodiversity across the borough, particularly on new developments, supporting the Greater Manchester Tree Strategy `All Our Trees’, which promotes tree planting in appropriate places to benefit the green infrastructure and maximise climate change benefits. The Strategy also aims to improve links to new and existing woodlands, helping reduce flood risk while being mindful of the need to protect existing priority habitats and improve the quality of natural habitats.

Other components of the Strategy that will support the natural environment and prevent biodiversity loss include climate change mitigation, improving access to green spaces, better air quality, and green infrastructure opportunities created by new planning projects to reduce flooding and flood risk via nature based solutions.

The biodiversity net gain assessment

To achieve the necessary amount of biodiversity net gain on a site, its biodiversity value must be assessed before development. An ecological consultant will make a site visit to inspect all ecological features and allocate a biodiversity value to each. The consultant will predict a biodiversity value for the site post-development by studying the development plans. Using the Defra universal biodiversity metric 4.0, the consultant can calculate whether there is a deficit between the two values; if so, the ecologist will determine the environmental changes needed to create the minimum 10% increase in biodiversity. Further surveys may be required, for example, protected species surveys, and the biodiversity net gain surveyor can provide further information if this is the case.

The biodiversity net gain plan will include recommendations to ensure that bng requirements are met according to a mitigation hierarchy and that the scheme leaves biodiversity in a better condition. Enhancement measures may include land management changes, habitat creation, or altering the scheme. The biodiversity net gain plan can be submitted to the local planning authority and will play a significant role in its decision-making process.

How a development site can deliver biodiversity net gain

National policy guidance states that on site delivery of net gain is the preferred option and methods could range from new habitat creation or installing bat boxes or bird boxes. On sites where it proves impossible to add net gain, the required net gain units may be delivered off site; this method can offer strategic benefits if units can be allocated to important habitats which form part of a local nature recovery strategy, such as a habitat bank. If there are no opportunities for on site or off site net gain delivery, the last resort option is to purchase net gain units.

Biodiversity net gain Bolton

To achieve bng requirements dictated by Bolton Council, biodiversity net gain plans must be submitted to inform planning applications. When selecting an ecological consultancy to carry out a biodiversity net gain plan, it’s important to confirm that it employs fully qualified consultants with experience in completing biodiversity gain plans that meet local councils requirements.

Following a biodiversity net gain assessment, consultants will provide the best advice about your proposed development to ensure that it will achieve net gain requirements and leave the natural world in a measurably better state.