Government guidance seeks new development to enhance the environment for wildlife.
New environmental legislation will soon mandate new development to provide a 10% biodiversity net gain. Local authorities are already updating their current planning policies to reflect this incoming legislation, and as such developers will need to consider biodiversity net gain at the outset of new projects.
Our team of experienced ecologists can carry out surveys across Wiltshire and surrounding areas. We can undertake the necessary ecology surveys and undertake a biodiversity net gain assessment.
If you require a biodiversity net gain assessment, or for more information about any of the ecological services that we provide, 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 an approach used to improve the biodiversity value of a site, post development. Following the mitigation hierarchy, of avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement, biodiversity net gain adds an additional element to this approach. To achieve a biodiversity net gain, a development must provide a 10% increase in biodiversity. Net gain can be achieved by enhancing biodiversity on-site or creating new habitats off site.
Environment Act 2021
The Environment Bill 2019 became the Environment Act 2021, after gaining Royal Assent in Autumn 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. However, ahead of biodiversity net gain becoming a legal requirement, certain local authorities are updating their current planning policies to make it a mandatory planning requirement now.
