Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory legislation which requires developers to increase biodiversity in new developments.
This requires developers in England to create biodiversity enhancement measures, and proof of net biodiversity gain for planning permission.
BNG Units are quantifiable biodiversity improvements made off-site.
To satisfy the requirements developers can purchase off-site Biodiversity Units to meet BNG targets.
What is the BNG Metric?
The BNG Metric is used to calculate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units in England.
The number of BNG Units needed for a development depends on a number of factors, including the size and location of the project and the existing on-site biodiversity.
Assessment is required based on the BNG Metric.
It may be possible to deliver the BNG required on-site.
If not BNG Credits or BNG Units can be purchased to deliver the BNG required.
What is required?
If a development cannot deliver on-site BNG, the developer can make up the shortfall by acquire BNG Units from a Habitat Bank on the BNG habitat market.
The Habit Bank must meet the statutory requirements. The Habitat must be secured for at least 30 years by planning obligations or conservation covenants.
If there is still a shortfall in the number of BNG Units required after exploration on-site delivery and off-site BNG Unit purchase, a developer can as a last resort purchase Statutory Biodiversity Credits from the government.
What is the Spatial Multiplier?
The Spatial Risk Multiplier reduces the biodiversity value of habitats delivered further away from the development to incentivise habitat delivery closer to the development site.
