Biodiversity Net Gain is a national approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a ‘measurably’ better state than it was before the development took place.
In 2024 BNG became mandatory for new planning applications for major and small developments.
Developments that are exempt from mandatory biodiversity gain/BNG requirements include:
- A development that does not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than:
- 25sqm of vegetated habitat
- less than 5m of a hedgerow or watercourse
- Householder applications (e.g. home extensions, loft conversions)
- Self-build and custom build applications which meet all of the following conditions:
- No more than 9 dwellings
- Site no larger than 0.5 hectares
- Consists exclusively of self-build or custom housebuilding
Developers must deliver a biodiversity net gain of a minimum of 10%. Some Local Authorities require a higher net gain. This means a development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than before the development took place. Our ecologists use the Defra Statutory Metric to assess the baseline biodiversity value of your site.
Our ecologists will work with you to design a scheme to mitigate losses, ideally as early as possible in the development of proposals. We will identify appropriate options for maximising biodiversity within the development. For further information click on the ‘Contact us’ button below.
