Biodiversity Net Gain – Essex County Council

Sustainable Development and Improving Natural Habitats

The Environment Act 2021 introduced several policies aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural environment for future generations. One of the most significant changes to the planning process is biodiversity net gain (BNG), which requires developers in England to protect existing habitats and improve biodiversity by 10% for at least 30 years as part of their development projects.

Following the introduction of the BNG policy, a two-year transition period allowed developers and local planning authorities to familiarise themselves with the new regulations. Some councils, however, chose to implement the policy early. Whether during the transition or beyond, anyone developing land in Essex must now ensure that their project meets the BNG criteria set by Essex County Council to avoid delays or penalties.

Essex Biodiversity Net Gain Requirements

Several national and local nature recovery strategies work together to protect Essex’s irreplaceable habitat and ecological networks. From Essex’s focus on sustainable planning and climate resilience to the biodiversity net gain targets outlined in the Essex Local Nature Partnership and the Essex Wildlife Trust’s vision for nature recovery, BNG is a core element in shaping the county’s future development projects.

In Essex, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other policy guidelines ensure that biodiversity net gain is a mandatory part of the planning process. Along with other local councils in the region, the local council in Essex and neighbouring areas are committed to enforcing BNG regulations, and developers must ensure that they adhere to the policy’s requirements when planning new projects.

Increasing Net Gain of Biodiversity to a Measurably Better State

From February 2024 (April 2024 for small sites), biodiversity net gain became a legal requirement in many development projects across the UK, including Essex. Failing to meet the necessary 10% biodiversity enhancement in new developments that are affected by it could lead to planning permission being refused, fines or even legal action. Simply put, planning applications will not be granted without proof that experts have evaluated the site.

To successfully meet the BNG requirements, developers need the expertise of an ecological consultant. The consultants assess all natural features on the development site and ensure that the project complies with BNG policies. By using DEFRA’s biodiversity metric, an ecological consultant will calculate the site’s biodiversity value before and after development, identifying any shortfall between pre-development and post-development biodiversity that must be addressed to meet the 10% net gain target.

If it’s impossible to achieve the necessary biodiversity improvements and generate sufficient biodiversity units on-site, the ecological consultant can use a last resort option of arranging for biodiversity gains to be secured off-site as biodiversity credits to ensure compliance with BNG regulations. It will always be the priority outcome to see BNG achieved on-site – especially whenever biodiversity value is severely impacted such as in major developments and large-scale infrastructure projects – but BNG makes it possible to satisfy the mandatory requirement off-site if needed.

Supporting Developments with Mandatory BNG Surveys

While BNG represents a significant change in planning regulations, developers can meet the policy requirements with the right support. Working with an ecological consultancy ensures that a biodiversity net gain plan is developed based on a detailed assessment of the site, enabling us to initiate habitat management and land management measures, create wildlife habitats, increase biodiversity, and make a measurably positive impact on each existing habitat via green infrastructure techniques.

Once an ecological surveyor has conducted a thorough assessment of the development site, a biodiversity gain plan will be drawn up. The plan will include detailed measures to meet BNG requirements, such as creating new habitats, enhancing existing ones, or adjusting development plans. The mitigation hierarchy will be applied to guide these recommendations, making sure the project adheres to Essex’s planning policies.

The biodiversity gain plan can then be submitted to the local planning authority as part of the planning application. BNG plans are highly regarded by local authorities and provide essential evidence that the project will meet BNG requirements and cater to a crucial aspect of rural affairs on the site. As long as all recommendations are followed, the biodiversity gain plan will play a key role in securing planning consent.

Choose a Qualified Ecologist from Arbtech

Before facing potential delays or penalties, developers in Essex are advised to consult with our team about creating a biodiversity net gain plan for their project. From a self-build to a custom housebuilding project and from major developments to a householder application, we have extensive experience assisting a range of clients. As for BNG plans, we are adept at decision-making, managing habitat creation, relocation and compensation, and we are also well-connected with environmental organisations such as Natural England.

By leveraging our expert guidance, you can ensure that your development contributes positively to Essex’s natural environment and meets all the necessary planning requirements, whether as a result of new habitat or another means of meeting the biodiversity gain policy. Contact us by phone, email, or via our website to request a free quote, and one of our team members will be in touch to record detailed information about your site and arrange a BNG assessment.