Biodiversity Net Gain Overview

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development, and/or land management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. The mandatory requirement to deliver a minimum of 10% uplift in biodiversity will apply to all major developments from January 2024 and minor developments from April 2024. There are a few limited exemptions which are listed on the Gov.uk website Further advice on how BNG is currently being implemented prior to mandatory BNG is provided in the interim note, from January 2024 the  BNG Information note is applicable. Developments within Liverpool are subject to the existing BNG policies of Liverpool City Council and should refer to their Biodviersity Net Gain Advice.

It is important to note that BNG does not change any existing legal protections for important habitats and species, nor does it replace or alter existing ecological considerations for developments (e.g., HRAs and protected species mitigation).

What does it mean?

Developments must demonstrate that they can deliver 10% biodiversity net gain. The net gain – comparing the site’s original, or ‘baseline’, condition with its post-development status – will be measured using the Biodiversity Metric . The most current statutory Defra Biodiversity Metric must be used. The metric and additional guidance on how to use it can be found on the Gov.uk website.

Illustration of the BNG concept

Why is it important?

Nationally and locally nature is in a state of decline. The State of Nature partnership establishes trends in the nation’s plant, animal and fungi species from the 1970s to the present day, their State of Nature report published this year found that in England, the abundance of terrestrial and freshwater species has on average fallen by 32%, with almost half of species experiencing decline. Declines were similar in other groups including marine fish, plants, and invertebrates. In addition, 12.9% of all English species are threatened with extinction. These findings add to the abundant existing evidence that anthropogenic activity is driving biodiversity collapse at both a global and local scale, the latter evidenced in the Liverpool City Region State of Nature Report (2022), that concluded biodiversity in the region is in a severe state of decline and requires urgent action.

Illustration of services and benefits to nature. WWF 2016.

Not only is this an inherent problem, but it is also a big problem for human societies too. We depend on functioning and healthy ecosystem to provide goods and services that support our lives and economy. The natural environment provides multiple benefits to us all and is essential to support life on this planet, and biodiversity is a proxy for the health of ecosystems and their ability to provide these benefits.

 

Biodiversity Net Gain in the Liverpool City Region

BNG has the potential to hugely benefit the Liverpool City Region and wider area. MEAS is involved with some key projects and partnerships that will enable this. MEAS in partnership with the Local Authorities are working towards the establishment of Local habitat banks to enable sale of biodiversity units to developers within the LCR.  This will ensure delivery of biodiversity locally to drive nature recovery within our region and to benefit local communities.

Across the LCR the local authorities are working collaboratively to ensure a consistent approach to BNG.The government has now produced BNG guidance for developers, land managers, and Local Planning Authorities, along with other guidance for specific topics (e.g. Biodiversity Gain Plan). MEAS is working with the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities’ to produce a joint Information Note, coming soon.

MEAS is also working with LAs to support them bringing forward council-owned land for habitat banking and is here to support landowners with BNG projects. MEAS are also working to understand how the BNG market will interact with other environmental markets and schemes, and how investment in Natural Capital can result in multiple benefits for the community, the economy, and the natural environment. There is more information on this on the LCR Investing in Nature Recovery (NEIRF project) website.

 

 

 

 

BNG Process

The image below sets out the best practice for completing biodviersity net gain obligations throughout planning for both developers and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

Best practice process flow for BNG in the planning system, from the Planning Advisory Service website 2023

Developers are responsible for submitting a Biodiversity Gain Statement/Plan with their planning application. This will require calculating the baseline biodiversity accurately (using a qualified Ecologist) and producing a Biodiversity Gain Plan explaining how the baseline biodiversity value has been calculated and how the 10% net gain will be achieved. The 10% net gain of Biodiversity Units is a statutory condition of developments from January 2024.