Biodiversity Net Gain – Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire’s Commitment to BNG

The Environment Act 2021 introduced several key policies to protect and enhance the natural environment, with biodiversity net gain (BNG) standing out as a crucial element, particularly in the realm of urban development. In essence, BNG ensures that the biodiversity and ecological value of a site after development is not only preserved but enhanced by at least 10% compared to its pre-development state.

To facilitate a smooth transition, the UK government allowed a two-year voluntary adoption phase for BNG. During this period, some local authorities opted to delay enforcement until it became mandatory, while others required developers to comply immediately. Herefordshire Council is among those already integrating BNG into their planning processes, meaning all development projects within the county were forced to align with these ecological standards straight away.

Contributions to Nature’s Recovery

Showing an intention to remain compliant with the legal agreement, Herefordshire Council now has a page on its website dedicated to biodiversity net gain. It includes such matters as the finer details for increasing biodiversity value to a measurably better state for long-term effectiveness, working with biodiversity units delivered on-site and off-site biodiversity units known as statutory biodiversity credits, and the overlap with legal restrictions and planning rules.

The early adoption of BNG is a central component of the council’s strategy, as it plays a significant role in meeting their carbon reduction targets. By enhancing biodiversity, Herefordshire can better offset emissions from future projects. The council’s strategy also highlights how BNG will positively impact upcoming infrastructure developments, ensuring they contribute to environmental sustainability, local biodiversity and the aims of relevant wildlife trusts and organisations such as DEFRA and Natural England.

Importance of Calculating Biodiversity Quality

With the Environment Act now in place, all its provisions – including BNG – are legally binding. While the two-year transition period meant that BNG wouldn’t be immediately mandatory across England until February 2024, developers in proactive areas like Herefordshire needed to incorporate it into their planning applications back then or face potential refusals from the local planning authority.

Developers wishing to fully comply with BNG requirements were encouraged to engage an ecological consultant early in the process. These specialists assess the current biodiversity value of a site using a predetermined biodiversity metric, compare it with the proposed post-development value, and ensure that the project achieves the necessary 10% biodiversity net gain increase to benefit future generations.

Proactively Accomplishing the Biodiversity Gain Objective

While developers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the principles of biodiversity net gain, the expertise of an ecological consultant remains indispensable. These professionals can conduct site visits at scheduled times, assess ecological features, counteract biodiversity loss, and develop a biodiversity net gain plan tailored to each development project.

During the site survey, an ecological surveyor will document all existing biodiversity features and compare the current biodiversity value with the projected post-development value. They will then propose the necessary changes to eliminate any shortfall and achieve the required 10% increase in biodiversity value, whether that involves a monitoring plan or – as a last resort – sourcing statutory credits on other sites.

In addition to providing developers with a clear plan of action and all of the key information retrieved from the development site, the BNG assessment also serves as reliable evidence for local planning authorities. With a well-prepared biodiversity net gain report in hand, developers can demonstrate that all ecological considerations have been thoroughly addressed, thereby enhancing the likelihood of securing planning permission from Herefordshire Council.

Work BNG Into Your Development Plans

Our pricing depends on the scope and scale of your project, and we encourage you to contact us directly for a personalised free quote. From there, we can help with producing a biodiversity gain plan, as well as any additional requirements you may need, such as generating habitat creation on-site, leading land and habitat management, or meeting the mandatory requirement using off-site BNG. You can reach us by phone, fill out an online quote form, or visit our contact page to discuss your specific needs.

Once we receive your completed quote form and you confirm your interest in working with us, we will arrange for one of our experienced ecologists to visit your site for a BNG assessment. On the day of the visit, our experts will gather all necessary data to formulate a comprehensive biodiversity gain plan, helping you meet the Herefordshire Council’s planning requirements, confirm a 10% gain of biodiversity, and secure your project’s approval.