Biodiversity Net Gain

Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will have to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain. 

Development proposals now require a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, which involves an initial site visit to map habitats using UK Habitat Classification categories. Habitat condition is also assessed and the information is inputted into the Defra Biodiversity Net Gain calculator, together with information on proposed post-development habitats. A net gain calculation is produced that shows whether further habitat creation or restoration is required to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain.

Our Ecologists are well-trained and experience in assessing biodiversity baselines and completing net gain calculations. The team’s vast amount of experience means that we can produce a tailored recommendation for your project to achieve net gain. This may be via on-site and off-site mitigation. Ongoing monitoring of mitigation habitats is required as part of net gain and Durham Wildlife Services can also provide a full monitoring and reporting service to ensure that planning obligations are met.

Timing

As with other habitat-based surveys, a BNG baseline can be carried out at any time of year, but spring and summer months are optimal, providing most detail on habitats present. A baseline should be taken early in the life of the project so that plans may be made/ adjusted to account for a biodiversity net gain.