Biodiversity – the variety of life on Earth – is essential to the health of ecosystems, human well-being, and the planet’s resilience to environmental change. However, with ongoing threats from urbanization, agriculture, and climate change, there is a growing need for development policies that not only mitigate harm but actively improve biodiversity. Wales has taken a pioneering approach by embedding the concept of Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) into its planning policies. This framework goes beyond traditional conservation efforts, aiming to leave biodiversity in a better state post-development. In this blog, we will explore the concept of NBB, its implementation in Wales, and its significance for sustainable development.
What is Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB)?
Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) is a policy framework that requires all new developments in Wales to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Unlike the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) approach in England, which mandates a 10% measurable increase in biodiversity using standardised metrics, NBB focuses on qualitative improvements tailored to local ecosystems.
Under NBB, developers must demonstrate how their projects will contribute to biodiversity enhancement, either directly on the development site or, if necessary, through off-site measures. The key objective is to leave the environment in a better ecological state than before the development took place
Core Principles of NBB
1. Enhancement, Not Just Mitigation: NBB goes beyond compensating for biodiversity loss. It mandates proactive enhancement of ecosystems.
2. Site-Specific Approach: Unlike the metric-based system in England, NBB focuses on local biodiversity needs and ecosystem resilience.
3. Long-Term Management: Projects must include plans for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity enhancements.
Policy and Legal Context
NBB is rooted in Welsh planning and environmental laws, primarily through:
Planning Policy Wales (PPW)
The latest updates to Planning Policy Wales (PPW) emphasize NBB as a core consideration in all development decisions. PPW requires that projects not only avoid significant harm to biodiversity but actively improve it through a step-wise approach:
- Avoid impacts where possible by selecting alternative sites or designs.
- Minimise impacts through careful planning and construction methods.
- Mitigate residual impacts by restoring habitats.
- Compensate off-site only if necessary and as a last resort
Environment (Wales) Act 2016
Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act imposes a duty on public authorities to maintain and enhance biodiversity, promoting ecosystem resilience. This legal duty reinforces the NBB principle, requiring authorities to demonstrate how their actions fulfill this obligation
The DECCA Framework: A Tool for Ecosystem Resilience
To guide the implementation of NBB, Wales uses the DECCA Framework, which assesses ecosystem resilience based on five attributes:
- Diversity: Maintaining a wide variety of species and habitats.
- Extent: Ensuring the size and connectivity of habitats.
- Condition: Enhancing the health and functioning of ecosystems.
- Connectivity: Linking habitats to allow species movement.
- Aspects of Resilience: Strengthening ecosystems against environmental pressures
Developers must use this framework to assess the potential impact of their projects and propose measures that enhance these attributes.
Implementation and Challenges
How NBB is Implemented
The implementation of NBB involves several steps, starting with a detailed ecological assessment at the planning stage. Developers must:
- Conduct baseline surveys to understand the existing biodiversity value.
- Design projects that integrate biodiversity enhancements, such as creating new habitats or improving existing ones.
- Submit long-term management plans to ensure ongoing maintenance of biodiversity gains.
- Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are responsible for ensuring that proposed developments meet NBB requirements. They have the discretion to refuse applications that do not deliver sufficient biodiversity benefits
Challenges and Considerations
While NBB offers a robust framework for enhancing biodiversity, it also presents challenges:
- Balancing Development and Conservation: Ensuring that development projects meet economic needs while delivering biodiversity benefits can be complex.
- Resource Allocation: Implementing NBB may require additional resources for ecological assessments, monitoring, and management.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Effective NBB implementation depends on collaboration between developers, ecologists, local authorities, and communities.
- Benefits of Net Benefit for Biodiversity
- NBB offers several advantages for both nature and society:
Benefits of Net Benefit for Biodiversity
Improved Ecosystem Services: Enhancing biodiversity supports ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
Climate Resilience: Healthy ecosystems are better able to withstand and adapt to climate change.
Community Well-Being: Access to green spaces and biodiversity-rich environments enhances physical and mental health.
Long-Term Sustainability: NBB encourages sustainable development practices that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship
Case Studies and Examples
Acer Ecology have worked on everal projects in Wales have successfully integrated NBB principles These include:
Urban Redevelopment: In Cardiff, a mixed-use development incorporated green roofs, wildlife corridors, and native planting to enhance local biodiversity.
Coastal Restoration: A project in Pembrokeshire focused on restoring sand dunes and creating habitats for rare coastal species.
Woodland Expansion: A development near Swansea included planting native woodlands and connecting them to existing forests, improving habitat connectivity.
These examples demonstrate how NBB can be applied across different types of developments, delivering tangible biodiversity benefits.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for the Future
Net Benefit for Biodiversity represents a forward-thinking approach to development, aligning economic growth with environmental conservation. By embedding biodiversity enhancement into planning policy, Wales is setting a new standard for sustainable development. As more regions adopt similar frameworks, the hope is that NBB will inspire global efforts to protect and restore the planet’s biodiversity.
For developers, planners, and communities, embracing NBB is not just a legal obligation—it is an opportunity to contribute to a healthier, more resilient world. Through collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can ensure that development leaves a lasting legacy for nature and future generations.
If your development needs a net benefit for biodiversity (NBB) statement, 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.
