Now more than ever, biodiversity enhancement is becoming a key part of new development. From the outset of new projects, developers will have to consider Biodiversity Net Gain, in order to comply with current environmental legislation.
We are a team of experienced ecologists and are able to provide a range of ecological services, including preliminary ecological appraisals and biodiversity net gain assessments. We have multiple ecologists based in Bristol and are able to carry out work across Somerset.
For more information on how we can help you with your project, please call us on 02920 650331, or email us at enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) refers to the process that ensures an overall increase in biodiversity as a result of a new development. The process itself follows the mitigation hierarchy, which sets out that everything possible must be done to first avoid, and then minimise, and restore/rehabilitate losses of biodiversity on site. A development must provide a 10% increase in biodiversity to achieve a biodi. Net gain can be achieved by enhancing biodiversity on-site or creating new habitats off site.
Environment Act 2021
After gaining Royal Assent in Autumn 2021, the Environment Bill 2019 became the Environment Act 2021. Until further secondary legislation is made, we are currently in a two-year transitionary period, where biodiversity net gain is not yet a legal requirement. Despite it not yet being a legal requirement, certain local authorities are updating their current planning policies to make biodiversity net gain a mandatory planning requirement now.
