01 Feb The UK Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations impact on future housing plans
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain regulations introduced last month, require a 10% gain on new developments and a specific planning condition. Environmental and Sustainability experts have been exploring how the new framework will impact developers.
Protecting biodiversity has become a particular focus within the requirement for new housing in the UK and increasing urban development. As a result, biodiversity net gain regulations were introduced to ensure new housing plans positively impact biodiversity.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Explained
BNG is mandatory for UK developers and landowners within the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act. The plans ensure any development project has a definitive and measurable impact on biodiversity, compared to the pre-development conditions. The regulation incorporates six statutory instruments, which became legal when BNG started last month. The critical part of the regulations is that a 10% increase in biodiversity net gain must be met to achieve compliance.
Who will be impacted by BNG?
Specifically impacted by the BNG measures include:
- Major developments (mandatory from January 2024).
- Small sites (from April 2024).
- Nationally significant infrastructure projects (from late November 2025).
- Land managers in the BNG market.
- Local planning authorities.
Within the BNG Regulations is a comprehensive evaluation of the existing biodiversity and the net loss of biodiversity post-development. This is referred to as the BNG assessment and determines how to prevent biodiversity loss or the ability to create or strengthen habitats to generate Biodiversity Net Gain.
By recognising the existing condition of biodiversity and the potential development impacts, stakeholders can make informed decisions to reduce impact and strengthen the benefits of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Net Gain primarily focuses on ensuring the biodiversity value of a location improves after the development phase. This means that new housing developments should leave the land and environment in a better condition than before. BNG regulations encapsulate how critical biodiversity is in climate change management, the ecosystem and our well-being. By following the measures of BNG, new developments can support the protection and restoration of natural habitats and enhance air and water quality levels.
BNG regulations profoundly impact the development and planning of new housing developments. Developers are now required to recognise biodiversity as a vital part of their projects.
This shift in priorities has driven new innovative projects, such as developing wildlife corridors, green roof development and sustainable drainage systems. While the BNG regulations have clear benefits, there are several challenges that developers and local authorities face. One particular challenge is finding appropriate land suitable for development and potential BNG. Balancing housing requirements with biodiversity protection is a challenge. There are also financial implications associated with BNG measures, especially over a long period.
As the importance of biodiversity becomes more apparent, BNG regulations will only strengthen. Developers and local authorities must be prepared and adapt to these changes, incorporating new solutions and working closely with biodiversity professionals.
BNG measures will drive a considerable transformation in the planning and execution of housing plans. While there are challenges, the BNG regulations will create enhanced wildlife habitats.
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