Biodiversity Net Gain – Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottinghamshire’s Approach to Biodiversity Net Gain

The Environment Act 2021 introduced biodiversity net gain (BNG) as a core policy to enhance the natural environment through the planning and development process. The policy ensures that biodiversity levels post-development exceed those that existed before construction, requiring a legally secured minimum net gain of at least 10% and lasting at least 30 years. The goal is to create a sustainable balance between necessary development and environmental conservation, ensuring that habitats are preserved and improved across the county.

To help local authorities and developers adapt to the new framework, the UK government introduced a two-year transition period before making BNG mandatory in February 2024 and April 2024 for small sites. While some councils opted to delay enforcement, others – including Nottinghamshire County Council – have been proactive in integrating biodiversity net gain requirements into planning applications. Developers working within Nottinghamshire must now ensure that their projects align with these regulations or risk planning permission being refused.

Biodiversity Net Gain Endorsement from Nottinghamshire County Council

In response to environmental challenges, steer from Natural England and orders from relevant legislation such as the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Nottinghamshire County Council has developed a robust strategy within a supplementary planning document to promote biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. A key component of this strategy is the implementation of BNG policies, which support the county’s broader sustainability goals.

The council’s initiatives align with its ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with interim targets to reduce emissions across transportation, buildings and public services. Outside of listed exemptions such as self-build, custom-build and householder applications, developers will need to ensure that further information about the site has been retrieved to support the biodiversity net gain requirement.

The adoption of BNG also plays a crucial role in Nottinghamshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which outlines key areas for biodiversity restoration. Infrastructure projects such as improvements to the A46 corridor and developments in the city of Nottingham and surrounding districts must now consider the ecological impact. The council encourages developers to engage with ecological consultants early in the planning process to ensure compliance with BNG requirements and to contribute positively to local wildlife conservation.

BNG’s Impact on Development in Nottinghamshire

The introduction of mandatory BNG regulations marks a significant shift in how planning applications are assessed across Nottinghamshire. Developers must now demonstrate how their projects will not only compensate for any ecological losses but also deliver a net gain of biodiversity to a measurably better state and leave the natural environment with significant enhancements. This can be achieved through on-site habitat enhancement, off-site biodiversity projects, or contributions to designated conservation areas within the county.

For projects in areas with significant ecological value or sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) – such as Sherwood Forest or the wetlands near Attenborough Nature Reserve – stricter scrutiny is expected. Developers may need to implement more comprehensive biodiversity offsetting strategies or a draft habitat management and monitoring plan, ensuring that new habitats provide long-term benefits for local wildlife. Failure to meet these statutory requirements can result in costly project delays or rejection of planning applications.

The Role of Ecological Assessments in BNG Compliance

To achieve compliance with BNG regulations, developers in Nottinghamshire must conduct detailed ecological assessments before submitting planning applications to local planning authorities, resulting in the creation of a biodiversity net gain plan. The assessments evaluate the existing pre-development biodiversity value of a site, using the industry-standard biodiversity metric to quantify habitat quality and ecological significance, and the mitigation hierarchy to make suitable decisions for priority habitat types.

By establishing a baseline biodiversity score and then predicting any biodiversity loss or adverse effect on the development site after the project, developers can determine the necessary enhancements required to meet the 10% net gain target. Ecological consultants play a vital role in this process, assembling a BNG plan to guide developers through habitat creation, restoration plans and biodiversity offsetting solutions to secure sufficient biodiversity units in line with the policy guidance.

In many cases, green infrastructure – such as urban tree planting, wetland restoration and the creation of wildflower meadows – can be integrated into development plans by central government, county councils and more specific local authorities, such as Nottingham City Council. Ensuring that these measures are embedded from the outset helps to meet target condition goals, increase the likelihood of gaining planning approval, and contribute to Nottinghamshire’s broader environmental strategy.

Why Developers Should Work with BNG Specialists

Navigating the complexities of BNG compliance requires expertise in both planning policy and ecological assessment. Developers in Nottinghamshire are encouraged to work with specialist consultants who can provide tailored advice, make appropriate decisions for each irreplaceable habitat using the biodiversity gain hierarchy, and ensure that projects meet regulatory standards. This not only streamlines the approval process but also enhances the long-term sustainability and ecological value of new developments.

Beyond compliance, incorporating biodiversity into planning can offer additional benefits, such as improved community wellbeing and increased property value. Green spaces, sustainable drainage systems and enhanced natural habitats contribute to a more attractive and resilient urban environment. By prioritising biodiversity, developers can align their projects with Nottinghamshire’s environmental goals while fostering positive relationships with local communities and planning authorities.

Get Expert Guidance on BNG for Your Project

To help with meeting the general biodiversity gain condition, we provide guidance and ecological services to developers all over Nottinghamshire in the timeframe provided as part of a pre-commencement condition. Our team of experienced consultants can conduct thorough BNG assessments, create tailored net gain strategies in a BNG plan, contribute to the completion of an approved biodiversity gain plan document, and ensure that planning applications align with local authority expectations.

For us to ensure that habitats establish, meet and even possibly exceed the mandated target, we will aim to enhance and build upon the amount of onsite habitat present. Alternatively, we can source offsite biodiversity units from external sites with high strategic significance or purchase statutory credits. The options of off-site units or biodiversity credits are a last resort but could be the difference between successfully and unsuccessfully achieving the planning obligation.

For a personalised quote, reach out to us via phone, our online quote form, or our contact page. Once we receive your inquiry, we will schedule an ecological assessment at your site, ensuring that you are fully prepared to meet Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning conditions and legal agreements relating to the mandatory requirement. By working with us, you can secure planning permission smoothly while contributing to Nottinghamshire’s commitment to a greener future.