Biodiversity Net Gain – Chelmsford City Council

Altering the Approach for New Developments in Chelmsford

Among the key measures in the 2021 Environment Act is biodiversity net gain (BNG), a policy that has significantly reshaped the planning landscape. BNG requires developers to ensure that the ecological value of a development site is enhanced post-development compared to its pre-development state. It is determined by evaluating the biodiversity value before the development and projecting the value after, with most local planning authorities expecting a minimum 10% increase.

Following a two-year transition period, BNG became mandatory for most major developments throughout England. During the transition, local authorities had the discretion to enforce the policy early, with some even requiring a greater net gain than 10%. Alongside other local planning authorities in Essex such as Colchester City Council, the standard policy applies to types of infrastructure projects in Chelmsford, with developers needing to comply with the mandatory requirement set by Chelmsford City Council to remain within the policy’s framework and sufficiently increase biodiversity.

Intentions to Embrace BNG

Even before BNG became compulsory, councils across the UK began incorporating the policy into their local plans and guidance documents. Chelmsford has provided a wealth of resources, including pages of detailed policy references, supplementary materials, nature recovery strategies, landscape strategies for the Chelmsford garden community, and guidance for developers and planning authorities to better understand and apply the policy.

To demonstrate compliance with BNG, developers must work with professional ecological consultants. Our team can conduct a thorough assessment of your site and provide a BNG plan that outlines the necessary steps to meet the policy’s requirements. Following this plan will ensure you are fully compliant with BNG and facilitate the planning application process.

Keeping a Focus on Biodiversity Net Gain Targets

First announced in the 2019 Spring Statement, BNG has since become a crucial aspect of planning discussions for developers, planners, local authorities and any other parties involved in environmental or land management. Compliance is non-negotiable, as failing to meet BNG requirements can lead to significant delays in obtaining planning permission and severe penalties, including substantial fines or even imprisonment.

Under the policy, pre- and post-development biodiversity values are measured and assessed using a standardised biodiversity metric. Any deficit between these values must be addressed, with an additional 10% improvement achieved. If on-site enhancement isn’t feasible, developers may secure equivalent offsets at an off-site location by purchasing biodiversity units or meet the mandate by buying statutory biodiversity credits from government-approved bodies such as DEFRA or Natural England.

Recording Biodiversity Value on New Developments

For developers and planners in Chelmsford, understanding BNG is essential for navigating planning applications and ensuring developments align with local and national goals for biodiversity and climate change. A biodiversity net gain plan remains a vital requirement for most projects.

The process begins with an ecological consultant conducting a desk study to analyse the site remotely, followed by an on-site visit to record ecological features such as habitats and species. The findings are assigned a numerical value to calculate the current biodiversity score. A second score based on the proposed development plans then predicts the site’s post-development biodiversity value.

The two scores are compared to identify any shortfall, which must then be addressed to achieve the mandatory 10% gain. If on-site measures are insufficient, developers can explore options such as mitigation, compensation or off-site biodiversity offsetting. In most cases, however, the BNG requirement can be met on-site without additional surveys or measures.

That said, Chelmsford City Council may request additional ecological surveys or assessments based on the specifics of the site and findings from the initial BNG inspection. With the guidance of an experienced ecological consultant, developers can navigate these requirements, secure planning consent, and meet local biodiversity targets.

Ask for Biodiversity Gain Help Today

To avoid delays in your development, we recommend contacting Arbtech for help with biodiversity net gain (BNG) as soon as possible. Our team can schedule a BNG assessment and deliver your comprehensive BNG plan to fit seamlessly with your planning timeline.

We’ve supported development projects across Chelmsford, Essex, and the wider East of England for many years, incorporating green infrastructure and habitat creation into the biodiversity gain plan to generate improved biodiversity value. To join the many developers we’ve assisted, simply reach out with details of your site and project.

Visit our contact page to fill out a quote request form, call or email us, or connect via social media. We’ll provide a no-obligation quote and help you align your project with your local authority’s policies, contribute to combating climate change locally, and achieve net gains in biodiversity to enhance the natural environment.