Biodiversity Net Gain – Central Bedfordshire Council

Bedfordshire BNG Implementation

The Environment Act 2021 introduced several core policies to enhance the natural environment, with biodiversity net gain (BNG) being a key component. BNG requires that development projects not only maintain the existing biodiversity value of a site but also increase it to what is considered a measurably better state, equating to at least 10%. Applicable developments across England can then contribute to environmental restoration and enhancement.

To allow developers and local authorities time to adjust to these new policies, the UK government provided a two-year transition period, which could be implemented or disregarded by local councils at the time. Since the lawful introduction of BNG, Bedfordshire worked in collaboration with local environmental partnerships to adopt the statutory 10% increase in biodiversity, requiring developers to meet this standard in planning applications submitted within the county.

Promotion of Green Infrastructure from Local Councils

Between Central Bedfordshire Council, the broader UK government website and the more focused Bedford Borough Council and others therein, the area has had a comprehensive focus on improving the state of the environment for many years to come. An integral part of that surrounded biodiversity net gain and the land management principles that could support a development’s onsite habitat.

A page on the Central Bedfordshire Council website covers planning in conjunction with BNG, with further information on how applications for planning permission will be considered differently by the local planning authority in major developments or any other projects that fall within the mandate. Other interested parties and responsible bodies can play a role in promoting ecologically beneficial land management, and that even extends to local communities and wildlife groups.

Integration of Biodiversity Net Gain and Planning

When the Environment Act became law, all policies including BNG became legally enforceable. While the two-year transition meant that BNG compliance wouldn’t be mandatory for all projects right away, Bedfordshire’s planning authorities opted for early implementation. Since it was formally released in February 2024 (followed by a small sites metric in April 2024), it has begun to ensure a consistent approach across the county, meaning applicable developers now need to incorporate BNG into their planning applications.

To meet the BNG requirements, developers often work with ecological consultants as a method of boosting their efforts to maintain species-rich grassland, the variety of habitat types for priority species on the site and other such ecological features for at least 30 years. The experts conduct biodiversity assessments to measure the ecological value of a site pre-development and post-development. If the proposed development is predicted to fall short of the BNG target, the consultant can propose mitigation measures to close the gap and ensure a 10% biodiversity increase.

Comparing Pre-Development and Post-Development Biodiversity

While it’s helpful for developers to understand BNG, working with an experienced ecological consultant is essential for meeting the policy requirements. A BNG plan is a reliable way to ensure that a development project complies with local regulations while also protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

At a time agreed upon by the developer, an ecological surveyor will visit the development site to conduct a comprehensive assessment, cataloguing all ecological features. The current biodiversity value is then compared to a projected future value based on the proposed development, with a statutory biodiversity metric used to calculate the two figures. If there is a shortfall, the consultant will recommend changes that will ensure the site’s biodiversity is enhanced post-development.

The BNG plan not only guides developers but also serves as important evidence for Bedfordshire’s local planning authorities. It demonstrates that ecological constraints have been identified, mitigation measures have been proposed, and biodiversity units or biodiversity credits will be purchased if the net gain cannot be fully achieved on-site in a process known as obtaining offsite biodiversity gains. With a thorough BNG plan in hand, planning permission is more likely to be granted.

Talk to Our Team Today

Unlike other countries still working on similar policies, biodiversity net gain (BNG) is already a planning requirement in England, and as such, it applies to many of the projects staged in Bedfordshire. Our licensed and experienced ecologists at Arbtech can assist you in navigating BNG compliance, and if you need help with obtaining an EPSL from Natural England or buying off-site biodiversity credits, we can guide your next steps. Our team will assess your development site and project based on everything you tell us and provide a free quote tailored to your specific needs.

To get started, reach out to us by phone, email, or via the contact options on our website. Once you confirm your quote, we will arrange for one of our ecological surveyors to visit your site, create a comprehensive BNG plan, and help you meet the requirements of Bedfordshire’s planning authorities, contributing to the county’s biodiversity enhancement and securing your planning consent.