Biodiversity Net Gain August Update: New Horizons for Sustainable Development

Cara Clarke • August 5, 2024

In the quest for sustainable development, the concept of biodiversity net gain has emerged as a pivotal strategy, aiming to leave the environment in a better state than before a development has taken place. Recent updates to the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and the introduction of a formal appeal process for biodiversity gain plans mark significant milestones in this journey. This article looks into these developments, shedding light on their implications for developers and landowners.

The Appeal Process: A Pathway to Resolution


Recognising the potential for disagreements between developers and Local Planning Authorities, the government has established a clear appeal process under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act. This mechanism allows developers to appeal to the Secretary of State if their biodiversity gain plan is refused or fails to be determined within the stipulated time frame. Such appeals are handled by the Planning Inspectorate, providing a structured pathway for resolution.


Developers have six months from the date of refusal or the deadline for determination to submit an appeal. This process underscores the government's commitment to facilitating dialogue and ensuring that biodiversity net gain objectives can be met through collaborative efforts.



Enhancements to the Statutory Biodiversity Metric


The Statutory Biodiversity Metric has also been refined to offer greater clarity and precision in assessing biodiversity impacts. Key updates include:


  • User Guide Clarifications: Detailed guidance on strategic significance categories, intertidal habitat restoration, phased construction, and spatial risk multipliers. This ensures a comprehensive understanding and accurate application of the metric across various projects.

  • Tool Changes: Introduction of mandatory fields for completion details and adjustments to calculation methodologies. These changes aim to enhance user experience and ensure precise biodiversity unit calculations.


  • Focus on Irreplaceable Habitats: Enhanced measures to protect irreplaceable habitats, including restrictions on enhancements and bespoke compensation options. This reflects a commitment to preserving unique ecological assets moving forward.


These updates signify a move towards a more nuanced and effective approach to biodiversity assessment, facilitating better decision-making in development planning. Please keep in mind that the previously published version of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric still remains as a legally valid option and there is no requirement to move to this newer version at this time.



Conclusion


The recent developments in biodiversity net gain policy and practice in England represent a significant step forward in integrating environmental considerations into development processes. By providing clear guidelines, appeal mechanisms, and refined assessment tools, the government is helping to foster a culture of responsibility and innovation in sustainable development.

Get a quick overview of the BNG market via our new dashboard

By Cara Clarke • February 13, 2025
Happy birthday Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) - it is now a year since the mandatory regime went live in February 2024. The year has flown by with: Heroic habitat healing, Forward-thinking farmers forging nature-based resilience for their estates, Dynamic data-driven approaches, Bold bank building (habitat banks that is), Guidance galore, and Multiple marketplaces. It is still relatively early days for BNG to really make its mark and there is no doubt plenty more scope for innovation. To celebrate the anniversary, the ever-resourceful analytics team at BNG Finder have come up with a one page dashboard to provide a monthly snapshot of the national picture. We get it, BNG is pretty complex and keeping track can be challenging. So we thought that the dashboard could be useful to provide a concise overview of how the BNG market is progressing and some of the key trends. We hope it is useful and would be delighted to hear your feedback and we can’t promise but do shout if you have any requests for developing it a bit further in future months. Please get in touch .

BNG's First Six Months: Key Insights for Landowners and Developers

By Cara Clarke • September 18, 2024
August marked the six-month milestone since Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory for most planning applications under the Town and Country Planning Act. Drawing from Natural England's recent reflections and our own expertise with our BNG Finder service, we'll explore how this first half year has gone.

Biodiversity Net Gain Comes into Force for Major Developments

By Chris Fry • February 12, 2024
From today, 12 February 2024, all major developments in England are required to deliver at least a 10% benefit for nature (biodiversity net gain). This legislation is the first of its kind in the world, making England a frontrunner in legal requirements that give back positively to nature. 
More Posts