Biodiversity Net Gain, or BNG, was the theme of our recent Planning & Infrastructure forum, with two guest speakers providing informative updates.
Our Planning & Infrastructure forum is tasked with exchanging information on planning policy, construction and regeneration. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on developments in planning law.
Legislation to implement BNG across England, came into effect in February 2024 but what is BNG? It focuses on the delivery of measurable improvements for biodiversity, connected to the delivery of land development programmes. In short, BNG aims to leave our natural environment in a measurably enhanced state. The key word being ‘measurable’.
BNG is guided by a number of principles dating back to 2016, which were developed by The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). A set of ten principles include the application of a Mitigation Hierarchy, addressing risk, making a measurable net gain contribution and being transparent.
A Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy has been established, which includes:
- Any adverse impacts to on-site habitats which are of medium, high and very high distinctiveness should be avoided. If they cannot be avoided, the impacts should be mitigated; and,
- For all on-site habitats, any adverse impacts caused by the development should be compensated for. Compensation (offsetting) should be focused on enhancement of existing on-site habitats as a priority, then the creation of new on-site habitats, then registered off-site offsetting, and as a last resort, the purchase of biodiversity credits.
We heard about the vital role of BNG sitting at the heart of any planning process for a land development proposal, starting within the planning process through pre-application advice and review of planning application, including BNG assessment.
Critics of BNG may point to patchy or isolated implementation. However, there is no doubt that BNG has many positive outcomes, including the potential for creative design, green corridors, stepping-stones for nature and welcome additions to urban landscape, which can lead to positive outcomes to improve mental health and enhance human access to nature. That got us talking about the powerful impact of nature in lifting our mood and helping our wellbeing. With a sharp rise in mental health problems, BNG has the potential to re-connect us with the natural world.
Following on from the discussions on BNG, we heard about the Planning Skills Fund (PSF), which is being driven by our British Chambers’ of Commerce (BCC) colleagues. This is a business led initiative to train and place the next generation of town planners at local authorities. PSF will be a five year training and bursary programme, administered by The Royal Town Planning Institute, to ensure it meets needs of learners, local authorities and industry.
PSF is seen as a partnership between government and business to boost skills capacity and there are plans to raise funding through corporate donations. Watch this space for further comms in the coming weeks.
The meeting wrapped up with a review of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). This set of ambitious goals was launched in 2015 and provides an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – through a global partnership. UNSDG recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth.
Our Planning & Infrastructure forum meets again on Tuesday 15th July and if you have an interest in planning and infrastructure taking shape across our region, you can book your place through the weblink:
Planning & Infrastructure Forum – Staffordshire Chambers Member Zone
