Bio Diversity Net Gain (BNG)
From 12 February 2024 Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10% will be mandatory, for new planning applications for major developments. Major development includes residential developments with 10 or more dwellings, or a site area which is greater than 0.5 hectares. The definition of Major development can be viewed at the The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.
North Warwickshire Borough Council will require BNG information to be provided with any relevant application submission and this can include plans, documents and particularly the calculation to assess the 10% figure.
From the 2 April 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10% will be mandatory for small sites. A small site means:
- residential development where the number of dwellings is between 1 and 9, or if this is unknown, the site area is less than 0.5 hectares
- commercial development where floor space created is less than 1,000 square metres or total site area is less than 1 hectare
- development that is not the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits
- development that is not waste development
There are exemptions to the 10% figure, these can be found here.
The Government have offered advice on BNG
The Government have offered Guidance on BNG, covering the following points:
- About biodiversity gain
- Biodiversity net gain: Submitting a planning application
- Determination of the planning application
- Submission of the Biodiversity Gain Plan
- Determination of the Biodiversity Gain Plan
- Appeals on a Biodiversity Gain Plan
- Phased development
Warwickshire County Council offers advice on Biodiversity Net Gain. You can also email them at planningecology@warwickshire.gov.uk
Natural England are running a BNG enquiry service from which they will direct queries. So if you have general queries about mandatory BNG (i.e. not about specific sites, your LPA approach etc) from developers, landowners, consultants, etc, you can email: BiodiversityNetGainEnquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
The 2021 adopted North Warwickshire Local Plan, also offers BNG information