Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach which aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand.
Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) except for small sites will have to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain from 12 February 2024. BNG will be required for small sites from 2 April 2024. BNG will be measured using Defra’s biodiversity metric and all off-site and significant on-site habitats will need to be secured for at least 30 years. This sits alongside:
- a strengthened legal duty for public bodies to conserve and enhance biodiversity,
- new biodiversity reporting requirements for local authorities, and
- mandatory spatial strategies for nature: Local Nature Recovery Strategies or ‘LNRS’.
Planning Advisory Service
We have compiled a list of resources to help inform and exemplify BNG. We have included documents for planners and boroughs, as well as key general information documents about how BNG will be implemented.
In 2019, the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres (ALERC) prepared this document with an overview of how Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) can support the data requirements for BNG with existing and new services.
We present below what GiGL has been doing to prepare for BNG. Click on each title to reveal more information.
BNG work with TfL
Working with TfL since 2018 on their biodiversity baseline data in preparation for BNG.
Services improvement and development
Exploring how we can improve existing services and develop new ones to support our partners and clients with BNG requirements.
Habitats Database and adoption of UKHab
Investing into updating our habitats database and collaborating with experts in the field to translate our existing habitat data to UKHab.
BNG Pilot projects
Working with London boroughs on a pilot biodiversity net gain (BNG) project to support them with BNG. For this purpose GiGL will produce a map with habitat categories using UKHab methodology for use as a BNG baseline.
Opportunity & Ecological Network Mapping
Working with partners to develop Opportunity Mapping and Ecological Network Mapping that works for London.
BNG Advisory Group
Formed an advisory group with expert stakeholders to advise us on how we can best support our stakeholders by providing improved and new GiGL services for BNG delivery.
Open Data
Assessing available open data for a better understanding of availability, usefulness and limitations. Where we find data that we don’t already hold that meet our data standards, we will absorb them into our core datasets.
BNG discussions
Contributing locally, regionally and nationally in meetings, groups, and discussions on BNG.
Awareness
Raising awareness about the important role of LERCs on BNG and influencing decision making.
Our plans for the future
- Collaborate with the Greater London Authority and local planning authorities on the development of London’s local nature recovery strategy.
- Invest more in the stewardship of relevant datasets, including our species and habitat databases and prepare a London-wide BNG baseline.
- Develop new services in collaboration with our partners and clients, including LPAs, developers, landscape architects and environmental consultants to support their BNG requirements.
- Finance a robust London-wide survey and monitoring programme that will create jobs for ecologists and generate robust data through field surveys and innovative tech.
- Work on more pilot projects with our stakeholders, including those with new innovations in data and mapping.