Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development projects, where on the completion of a development, the natural environment should be in a measurably better state than beforehand.
A Biodiversity Net Gain assessment is used to find out whether the impacts of a development would result in a net loss or a net gain of biodiversity. The Biodiversity Metric is used to calculate the biodiversity value of a site before and after development. This then calculates whether the development is likely to result in loss or gain in biodiversity.
Our ecologists are experienced and trained in using the Biodiversity Metric, used to calculate Biodiversity Net Gain. If your project is required to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, you can contact us to discuss how this might be achieved.
If your development requires a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, you should expect the following to be carried out:
1. An initial walk-over survey carried out by an ecologist to understand the existing habitats on site.
2. A landscaping plan should be provided to the ecologist to assess the proposed post-development habitats. If the landscaping plan has not been finalised, our ecologists can be on hand to advise on suitable planting for the site.
3. Using a Biodiversity Metric, the data collected for pre-development and post-development habitats is converted to biodiversity units. The difference between these biodiversity units are then presented as either Biodiversity Net Gain or Loss and is usually a percentage.
4. If Biodiversity Net Gain is a requirement for the planning permission, and is not being achieved with the existing plans, our ecologists would work with the design team to amend the plans to incorporate biodiversity enhancements.
5. If Biodiversity Net Gain cannot be achieved on site, the option of off-site compensation can be explored.
