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BNG: A Policy to Improve the Natural World

Biodiversity net gain was introduced in the Environment Act 2021 and is designed to ensure that new developments leave the natural world in a better state than it was previously.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council requires developers to consider biodiversity net gain (BNG) throughout the planning process and a BNG plan or biodiversity statement must be submitted with planning applications.

To satisfy the demands of biodiversity net gain Stockport, evidence must demonstrate that a development project will create the necessary net gain before planning permission will be granted.  

To limit the detrimental effects of development on nature and improve biodiversity levels in the UK, biodiversity net gain is now a key part of planning policy. BNG requires proposed new developments to prove to local authorities they will leave nature in a `measurably better state’ on completion.

BNG formed part of the Environment Bill, which became the Environment Act 2021 on receiving royal assent, bringing the policy into planning law. To give local planning authorities and many developers time to adjust, biodiversity net gain was introduced over a two-year transition period, becoming mandatory in November 2023 in England for new developments on major sites and small sites of under nine units. Biodiversity net gain applied to smaller sites from April 2024.

The biodiversity metric and new developments

To satisfy biodiversity net gain requirements, developers must demonstrate that a scheme will improve the amount of biodiversity on a site post-development compared to pre-development. This information can be provided by a BNG assessment carried out by an ecological consultant using the latest version of the Defra biodiversity metric.

Whether dealing with small sites or large new developments, an applicant must also provide details of how the improvements will be maintained for the long term – at least 30 years. There are few exemptions to biodiversity net gain as it applies to most developments in England: ignoring or refusing to comply with the policy can result in financial penalties and delays to planning applications.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and BNG

The Ecological Network Studies 2020 identified important habitat areas in the borough to be protected and improved. Ecological corridors and habitat links in the borough and across neighbouring boundaries were noted, and the aim is for these areas to become `bigger, better and more joined up,’ with the delivery of biodiversity net gain playing an important role. Improving links between habitats will protect them from climate change and benefit the species present; for instance, improvements to the River Mersey corridor could help Stockport town centre link with nearby ecological networks.

BNG offsetting opportunities for new developments

Opportunities for biodiversity net gain delivery were identified in the Stockport Ecology Study which highlighted areas such as roadside verges, local parks and canal corridors. The study found that many sites would benefit from biodiversity enhancement, emphasising that river and woodland corridors are key ecological assets along with ponds and grasslands. There are 37 conservation areas in Stockport including Heaton Moor, Bramhall Park, Cale Green and the Peak Forest Canal, where BNG delivery opportunities may exist.

The Biodiversity Net Gain assessment

This is carried out by an ecological consultant who will assess a site’s biodiversity value before any development takes place by evaluating all ecological features present. The consultant will then calculate the site’s post-development biodiversity value. The latest version of the biodiversity metric will be used to calculate whether the two values differ; if so, the consultant will advise on how to make the two figures match and increase the biodiversity value by the minimum 10% required. To work out the best approach, a mitigation hierarchy will be referred to: typical improvements could include creating wildflower grassland or changing land management practices.

According to national policy, on-site delivery of BNG is the preferred option: for many developers, this may mean new habitat creation or installing bat boxes or bird boxes. In some cases, particularly on small sites where there is no scope to add net gain, offsite delivery of the required BNG units may be the best option for many developers. This method can be most beneficial if the units are allocated to habitats in a Local Nature Recovery Strategy such as a habitat bank. If offsetting also proves impossible, the last resort option is to pay a biodiversity offsetting contribution fee.

Further surveys on proposed new developments

In some instances, further surveys will be required by local planning authorities, such as a protected species survey, and the ecological consultant can provide further information if this is the case. The completed biodiversity net gain plan will contain all the information that local authorities need to demonstrate how biodiversity net gain requirements will be met on a site and will be relied on when a planning application is considered.

Biodiversity net gain plans in Stockport

A biodiversity net gain plan must be submitted with planning applications to satisfy the local authority’s requirements. When engaging an environmental consultancy, it’s prudent to check that it employs fully qualified consultants with experience in completing biodiversity net gain plans for local planning authorities. This will reassure you that you can rely on their professional advice to help ensure your scheme leaves biodiversity in a better condition and leads to a successful planning application.