Biodiversity Net Gain – Birmingham City Council

Setting BNG Across Birmingham Developments

The Environment Act 2021 introduced several key policies aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment, with biodiversity net gain (BNG) standing out as one of the most significant measures. The policy requires an evaluation of a development site’s biodiversity before and after a project, ensuring a minimum 10% improvement in biodiversity value.

Although the BNG policy became law simultaneously with the wider Environment Act, the government allowed a two-year transition period. The grace period enabled developers and local authorities to familiarise themselves with the policy before its enforcement. Now fully mandatory, Birmingham City Council and other councils in the West Midlands such as the West Midlands Combined Authority are empowered to impose penalties on developers who fail to meet BNG requirements.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain in Planning Policies

In addition to adhering to Birmingham’s planning requirements from the local government to combat climate change and encourage nature conservation, developers must align their projects with the Birmingham and Black Country Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and the West Midlands Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Engagement with local environmental groups – such as the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, the Birmingham Bat Group or bird conservation organisations – may also be necessary, especially if protected species are present. With the right planning and support, however, these challenges can be managed efficiently.

BNG Within the Planning System

When first introduced in 2019, the BNG policy raised concerns among developers nationwide due to its broad applicability to most planning projects. Ignoring the policy is not an option, as it can lead to significant delays, fines or even legal consequences.

To ensure compliance, developers must measure the biodiversity value of their site before and after the project. The pre-development condition is assessed alongside plans and documentation predicting the site’s post-development state, and any shortfall between the two is addressed to meet the 10% net gain requirement.

Steps to Achieve Biodiversity Net Gain

While the transition period provided developers with time to adapt, professional ecological expertise remained essential, and even back then, many local planning authorities would not accept applications without input from an ecological consultancy. We can assist by conducting a BNG assessment and creating a biodiversity net gain plan tailored for submission to Birmingham City Council.

During the BNG process, all ecological assets on the site are identified and valued. Our ecologists then compare this baseline reading with the projected biodiversity value post-development. Using the mitigation hierarchy, we determine the steps necessary to meet or exceed the required net gain, such as the creation of new habitats. In cases where on-site improvements are unfeasible, developers may need to acquire biodiversity units off-site.

Every assessment concludes with the creation of a detailed BNG plan, including maps, images, survey data and outcomes. The resulting biodiversity net gain reports will then be ready for submission as part of the planning application to the corresponding local councils. Due to the evidence provided, a BNG plan and report will help the planning process by outlining ways of getting the biodiversity value to a measurably better state.

Get Help with the Mandate from Our Team

Across Birmingham – from the River Rea to the city’s surrounding green spaces – our team is here to provide local expertise in navigating the BNG policy. Unlike other consultancies, we assign ecologists with in-depth knowledge of Birmingham’s unique ecology, planning regulations and conservation areas. If a development infringes on a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), contradicts local communities and conservation groups, harms natural habitats within the red-line boundary or requires off-site gains, our team can step in to assist.

All our work aligns with the standards of DEFRA, Natural England and the Environment Agency, and we base our actions on the biodiversity gain hierarchy to ensure that major developments are directed towards the most suitable solutions. To get started, contact us for a free quote by providing your site and project details. Whether by email, phone or online form, we’ll guide you through the BNG process, helping you secure biodiversity net gains, make measurable improvements, and move forward with your development plans in Birmingham.