Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Introduction
Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state after development than before, after first avoiding and minimising harm.
All developments (except for some exceptions, such as householder applications) have to deliver 10% BNG. This requirement does not replace, but is in addition to, the existing policy and legal requirements related to biodiversity and development
To measure BNG and assess the impacts of planning applications Defra’s Biodiversity Metric (or for smaller sites the small sites metric) should be used. Guidance on how councils across Gloucestershire expect the biodiversity metric to be used is provided below (this guidance is regularly updated to reflect changes in national and local guidance and initiatives):
BNG Guidance for LPA - February 2024 - pdf - 1.26 Mb
Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development (published by CIEEM) should be followed when designing developments and preparing planning applications. Further advice can be obtained from the council via our pre-application advice service.
Planning applicants will need to provide information on the biodiversity value of their application site and how they plan to deliver 10% BNG as part of their application. Details can be found on our validation webpages.
In most cases, BNG should be provided on the development site (particularly where proposals impact designated sites, irreplaceable habitats or priority habitats), but in some cases, and in agreement with the council, it may be necessary to provide the net gain off-site. This could be on land within the planning applicant’s control or via another landowner or BNG broker. The council has worked with the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund to enable a supply of potential off-site BNG delivery locations.
Government guidance on the BNG process is available at: Developer guidance
Further details on BNG must be submitted as part of the “statutory biodiversity gain condition” and development cannot commence until that condition has been discharged. Please note that this condition, in line with the relevant legislation, will not appear on your decision notice as a condition (only as an informative), but it will still apply. Information on how to discharge this condition is available below:
S.106 agreements and financial contributions to Council monitoring costs
BNG will be secured via s.106 agreements, conservation covenants or conditions depending on the circumstances. Template s106 agreements will be made available soon on the Council’s website.
It is important that significant on-site and all off-site BNG is monitored and this will form part of the agreed Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans; which will set out the monitoring responsibilities of the land-owner or developer. The Council will need to ensure that this monitoring takes place and that they have fully reviewed all the monitoring reports, assisting landowners and developers to deliver the planned enhancements to biodiversity. To cover the cost of this work, the Council will require developers or landowners to make a financial contribution, this payment will be secured in the relevant s.106 agreement. The monitoring fees will be published shortly.