Biodiversity Net Gain – Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Boosting Biodiversity Locally Throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Aiming to elevate environmental standards, biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a key component of the Environment Act which originated as part of the Environment Bill. The BNG policy requires most future developments and potentially multiple sites within the same project to demonstrate environmental enhancements, achieving at least a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to pre-development conditions as a means of enhancing key green spaces.

Although BNG became law with the Act’s passage, a two-year transition period was implemented to allow developers and local authorities to familiarise themselves with the requirements. During this time, local councils in England could choose to apply BNG standards voluntarily. The transition period concluded in February 2024, at which point Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council and other local councils became legally obligated to enforce the policy for all applicable developments. That said, BCP Council was among the first local authorities to follow the new national policy.

BCP Council’s Role in Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain

As a binding element of planning law, the new biodiversity net gain policy is embedded in key documents issued by BCP Council and its partners, such as the Dorset Local Nature Partnership. The area’s biodiversity supplementary planning document (SPD) outlines how BNG should be integrated into local planning projects. It also works to strengthen BCP council’s role in efforts to fund biodiversity improvements and encourage a sustainable financing model, as well as aligning with the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), national planning policy and the BCP Local Plan.

In partnership with the full council of Natural England and the National Trust, the resources cover topics such as integrating biodiversity into developments and increasing biodiversity through thoughtful planning. Although some developers may find the range of guidance documents daunting, compliance is achievable by following clear and structured advice. The BNG planning policy presents an intention to show environmental leadership over local efforts to address climate change and environmental conservation, demonstrating its importance in development across the local BCP area.

Shared Environment Goals Between Planning and BNG

When biodiversity net gain was first introduced in the 2019 Spring Statement, it was evident that it would be a significant opportunity to reshape the planning process and how many new developments are carried out. Developers who fail to comply with the policy face delays in obtaining planning permission, as well as the risk of severe penalties, including unlimited fines or imprisonment.

To meet the BNG mandate, the current biodiversity value of a site is assessed and compared to a predicted value post-development. It is measured using a universal biodiversity metric to quantify the quantity and value of all native species, ensuring consistency across all projects. Qualified ecological consultants work to eliminate any deficit between the two values and achieve the required 10% gain.

In most cases, BNG can be achieved on-site. If it proves unfeasible, however, developers may need to pursue biodiversity offsets at approved off-site locations using a habitat banking vehicle. The required number of biodiversity units is calculated during the assessment, and developers may need to contribute financially to off-site habitat creation to meet the mandate.

Inspection Designed to Improve Biodiversity

For developers and homeowners in the BCP area, understanding BNG is vital for successfully navigating the planning process. Even a strong grasp of local council policy and government planning policy, however, cannot replace the expertise of an ecological consultant. The best approach is to commission a biodiversity net gain plan tailored to the specific site and ensure that the new BNG requirements are met correctly.

During a BNG survey, important habitats, priority species and ecological features are recorded. The data of specific habitats is used to calculate the site’s baseline biodiversity value. If adjustments to the development plans are insufficient to prevent biodiversity loss, the mitigation hierarchy is applied to identify effective solutions. Depending on the results, developers may need to create new habitats or turn to offsetting measures.

A comprehensive BNG plan including maps, assessments and survey results is then submitted to the local planning authority. The plan is critical for securing planning approval while meeting biodiversity requirements, as it outlines rich natural environments and how the developer can make a measurably positive impact after the project, whether through an increase of ten per cent on-site or the alternative option to purchase units, financing investment in designated UK areas elsewhere.

Consult Our Team for Assistance

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, our team of ecological consultants is ready to assess biodiversity on your site and provide solutions to meet BNG requirements. Using DEFRA’s biodiversity metric, we ensure accurate evaluations and tailor our services to align in all the right places, including the BCP local plan, supplementary planning documents, Natural England guidance, and professional standards from CIEEM.

Before confirming that you are absolutely committed to our services, contact our team for a free quote. Share your site details via phone, email or our website, and we’ll provide a tailored quote for a BNG assessment and plan. If you’re satisfied, we can arrange a date this year or next year depending on the schedule of your development to begin helping you achieve biodiversity net gain, tick off anything and everything the national policy requires, and secure planning permission for your project.