Defra’s Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation

Defra’s Biodiversity Net Gain Consultation Is Open Until 10th February 2019.

Biodiversity net gain, already part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), ‘is an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than beforehand’, delivered via habitat creation and enhancement.

There is currently no national standardised mechanism for the delivery or measurement of net gain through the planning application process. At present biodiversity net gain is addressed via various methods across local planning authorities, including how it is measured, conditioned, and achieved. Inconsistent approaches can cause increased delays and costs for developers in the planning process.

The consultation document proposes national level mechanisms to provide a streamlined and consistent approach to net gain, informed by new guidelines and biodiversity measurement metrics, and the possible payment of a tariff on predicted shortfalls in biodiversity post development.

Read more & give your views here.

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2018) Net Gain Consultation Proposals. DEFRA, London. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.