Acer Ecology has undertaken a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment in Bristol

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is the end result of a process applied to infrastructure development so that overall, there is a positive outcome for biodiversity. The process itself follows the mitigation hierarchy, which sets out that all efforts must be done to first avoid and then minimise and restore/rehabilitate losses of biodiversity on site. Only as a last resort, residual losses are compensated for using biodiversity offsets, which are distinguished from other forms of mitigation in that they are at an alternative site from the development site and require measurable conservation outcomes.

Adopting a BNG approach can account for biodiversity losses not fully covered by legal and planning systems.

Whilst some species are extensively protected, many are not; with the consequence that development can be ‘legally compliant’ but still result in biodiversity loss. The BNG approach guards against this, enabling development to contribute towards the national and global target of halting biodiversity loss by 2020 and towards local and national strategies for conserving and enhancing wildlife.

If your planning development needs 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.