Hefty number of councils require over 10% biodiversity net gain, research shows
Prior to the statutory requirement for biodiversity net gain (BNG) for new developments, Carter Jonas has discovered various local authorities have requested more than a 10% increase.
Dating back to Spring 2022, Carter Jonas, a UK-based estate agency, have been analysing the emergence of BNG policies and guidance within local planning authorities, prior to the requirement for BNG for new developments coming into place this month.
BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitats and ensures that new developments have a positive impact on the environment compared to what was there before.
From their findings, which were published earlier this week, researchers outlined that of the 306 local planning authority’s (LPA) in England, the majority are requesting more than a 10% BNG increase.
The local plans of Guildford, Brighton and Hove and Worthing, which make up 1% of all LPAs, require or encourage a percentage net gain higher than 10%. However, this figure is set to increase substantially as 17 have such a policy emerging through their local plan review – this is an increase of 33.3% from research that was completed in 2022.
Against this backdrop, experts highlighted that Kingston Upon Thames and Tower Hamlets in London are set to have the most ambitious policies to date. Both require a minimum of 30% net gain but these policies are emerging through local plan processes and have not yet been adopted.
David Alborough, natural capital consultant at Carter Jonas said: ‘Our analysis provides developers, landowners and planning consultants with valuable insight into where the greatest demand for off-site BNG is emerging, which has important implications for developers and identifies opportunities for landowners.’
As well as pinpointed specific areas that are looking to adopt BNG polices, the research also exposes regional areas that aren’t looking to make this shift. In the south-east 11 LPAs have a BNG policy (either emerging or already adopted), however, in the north-west, north-east, west-midlands and east-midlands no LPAs are making this requirement.
Sophie Davidson, associate in the research team explains: ‘Some regional variation can be attributed to the influence of Local Nature Partnerships, which is evident in the south. For example, the Kent Nature Partnership is promoting a county-wide target of 20% within Kent and Medway.
‘In response to this, Kent County Council (with funding support from Natural England) commissioned a strategic viability assessment of BNG in Kent. The report concludes that the biggest cost in most cases is to get to 10% net gain, and the increase to 15% or 20% is ‘generally negligible’.
‘This has influenced emerging policies in Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Canterbury, and Swale so far, representing 30.7% of the county. Likewise, the Surrey Nature Partnership and Sussex Local Nature Partnership have directed higher net gain targets in their counties.’
Image: Eelco Böhtlingk
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