What is biodiversity net gain?
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development, and/or land management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand.
Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) except for small sites will have to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain from 12 February 2024. BNG will be required for small sites from 2 April 2024. BNG will be measured using Defra’s biodiversity metric and all off-site and significant on-site habitats will need to be secured for at least 30 years. This sits alongside:
• a strengthened legal duty for public bodies to conserve and enhance biodiversity,
• new biodiversity reporting requirements for local authorities, and
• mandatory spatial strategies for nature: Local Nature Recovery Strategies or ‘LNRS’.
BNG in the Planning Process
A guidance note has been prepared by Cannock Chase District Council to provide guidance in relation to the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and biodiversity enhancement in Cannock Chase District. Biodiversity Guidance Note.
Cannock Chase Council encourages pre-application discussions with prospective applicants to discuss their development proposals in relation to BNG prior to submission see page 4. Pre-application Advice.
Our BNG requirement asks an applicant to submit a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Self-Assessment Form as part of their supporting document. Please check the associated validation checklist to see if this is required. If you do not provide a self-assessment when submitting your application, it is likely the application will be invalid. The BNG self-assessment form is not required for householder applications.
General biodiversity requirements
Further guidance on local requirements for biodiversity survey and assessment in relation to planning applications (protected and priority species, designated sites and priority habitats and geodiversity sites) is provided within the Biodiversity Trigger List and it is recommended that this guidance, along with the local validation checklist and biodiversity net gain guidance note, is used to assist the preparation of planning application submissions.