2024-08-05-莱坊-Biodiversity_Net_Gain_Guide_April_2024_9页_1mb

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Summary April 2024

Core Content

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a policy in England that requires new developments to result in a measurable improvement in biodiversity compared to the pre-development state. The policy is implemented under the Environment Act 2021 and the Town and Country Planning Act, aiming to reverse the decline of UK biodiversity and promote sustainable land use.

Main Points

• Mandatory Implementation Dates:

  • Large developments: 12 February 2024
  • Small developments: 2 April 2024
  • National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs): 2025

• BNG Requirement:

  • Developers must achieve a minimum of 10% net gain in biodiversity, though some LPAs may set higher targets.
  • BNG must be secured and managed for at least 30 years post-development.

• Types of Sites:

  • Large sites: domestic, industrial, commercial, and mixed-use.
  • Small sites: up to 9 houses or 0.5 hectares.
  • Exemptions include pre-implementation planning applications, habitats below a 'de minimis' threshold, householder applications, and small-scale self-builds.

• Biodiversity Units and Credits:

  • Biodiversity Units are calculated using the Biodiversity Metric and can be sold.
  • Credits are statutory options for developers if on-site or off-site BNG is not feasible, with costs based on habitat distinctiveness.

• Biodiversity Metric Tools:

  • Statutory Biodiversity Metric for large developments.
  • Small Sites Metric (SSM) for eligible small developments.
  • The metric evaluates habitat features such as plant species, vegetation quality, and water bodies.

• Monitoring and Enforcement:

  • Off-site gains must be registered on the Biodiversity Gain Site Register.
  • On-site gains must be legally secured for 30 years.
  • Enforcement is handled by local planning authorities (LPAs) through the existing planning regime.

• Irreplaceable Habitats:

  • These include ancient trees and woodland, salt marshes, blanket bogs, lowland fens, limestone pavements, and coastal sand dunes.
  • They are not subject to the 10% net gain requirement but require alternative mitigation measures.

• Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS):

  • LNRS guide conservation efforts by identifying strategically important habitats.
  • Habitats within these strategies generate 15% more units when created on-site or via BNG.

• Baseline for Degraded Habitats:

  • If a site's biodiversity has been degraded since 30 January 2020, the pre-degradation state is used as the baseline.
  • This prevents manipulation of baseline dates for greater BNG benefits.

• Excess BNG Units:

  • Developers can sell excess units above the LPA's minimum requirement.
  • There is no centralised trading facility; prices are determined by the private market.

• Stacking Payments:

  • Landowners can combine BNG units with nutrient credits from the same nature-based intervention.
  • Stacking is not allowed with other ecosystem services like carbon offsetting.

• Income from BNG Units:

  • Prices vary based on habitat distinctiveness and demand.
  • Estimated income per unit: £10,000 to £40,000, with higher values for high-priority habitats.
  • Landowners should consider long-term management and potential risks.

• Greenwashing Concerns:

  • BNG must be proven through credible assessments by accredited ecologists.
  • Transparency and integrity in the process are essential to avoid greenwashing.

Key Contacts for BNG Support