Integration of the Environment Act into Planning
The landscape of English development was fundamentally reshaped by the Environment Act 2021 – a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to halt the decline of nature. And at the heart of this act is biodiversity net gain (BNG) – a strategy that requires developers to leave a site in a measurably better state than it was before construction.
The policy applies to most developments, requiring an uplift of at least a 10% biodiversity net gain. By calculating the ecological value of land before and after a project, the planning system ensures that the “Green City” vision for Southampton is backed by tangible results.
While the framework was established several years ago, the government allowed a transition period for the industry to adapt. As of February 2024, this ended, marking the official start date for BNG to become a mandatory requirement. Consequently, Southampton City Council has since joined other local planning authorities all over the country in enforcing the BNG requirements on all relevant planning applications.
Developers and planners can do this by getting a biodiversity net gain plan created by our team. Failure to demonstrate this uplift can result in significant delays or even legal repercussions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as local authorities are now empowered to hold developers accountable for their ecological impact.
Navigating Local Planning Policies and Expert Guidance
In their recent technical updates, Southampton City Council has provided a clear framework for how these national rules apply to the local area.
Local policy ensures that new development aligns with the national planning policy framework (NPPF) while protecting the unique character of the South Hampshire area.
The guidance details the necessary steps for a biodiversity net gain assessment, ensuring that new habitats created are resilient and relevant to the region.
Developers must also ensure that their biodiversity gain plan is consistent with the Hampshire local nature recovery strategy (LNRS) and the “Green City” charter.
Beyond the city council, you may need to satisfy the requirements of many local planning authorities in the Solent area, particularly regarding the protection of ancient woodlands, national character areas or, for example, a sensitive coastal habitat.
Local interest groups often monitor these potential impacts closely, so engaging with local habitats and biodiversity experts in the first instance is vital. Our team helps you navigate these layers of green infrastructure requirements to ensure compliance without compromising your project’s timeline.
Defining the Parameters of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
When the mandate was first announced, there were concerns about how biodiversity requirements would affect the delivery of urban builds and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
The use of the statutory biodiversity metric has, however, provided a standardised way to measure nature. The tool calculates the pre-development biodiversity value of a site, which then dictates the target for the final project. Simply ignoring these metrics is no longer an option, as it will inevitably halt the progress of planning permissions granted in the city.
To achieve a successful outcome, the developer must provide full details of the habitats present and how they will be improved, using a comparison between the baseline and the proposed development plans. If a site cannot achieve at least a 10% net increase internally, the developer may need to consider using off-site units.
Off-site units are areas of land where land managers have created a surplus of biodiversity. If both on-site and local off-site biodiversity units are unavailable, purchasing statutory credits from the government remains a last resort.
Establishing Baseline Value Through BNG Assessments
Securing planning consent in today’s environment requires the expertise of a professional ecological consultancy. No local authority will approve a biodiversity gain plan without a formal biodiversity net gain assessment that follows the mitigation hierarchy.
Our BNG assessments start with a thorough indexing of all existing habitats, often conducted alongside a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA). Using this approach allows us to determine the current statutory credits of the land and identify any high-value features that should be retained.
By analysing your architectural plans, we can calculate the predicted post-development value and determine the most cost-effective path to BNG delivery.
Whether your site is one of the many small sites in the city centre or a large-scale industrial project, we provide the technical data needed for a smooth application. We assess such habitats as bats, badgers, barn owls, and more, evaluating the general biodiversity gain condition and ensuring that every calculation is robust and defensible during the local council’s review process.
Expert Support for Your Southampton Team
Our team provides specialised habitat creation advice tailored to the specific ecological needs of the South Coast. Unlike other consultancies, we provide an ecological surveyor with deep knowledge of local planning policies and the specific challenges of developing throughout Hampshire.
Our work encourages developers to reach out early so that we can integrate the requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG) into the design phase, rather than treating them as an afterthought.
We offer a free quote without obligation to help you understand the costs associated with your biodiversity net gain assessment and plan in the Southampton area. You can reach us via our online quote form, by email, or by phone to discuss your project.
If you require further information on how to secure your planning permission while enhancing local habitats, we are here to provide the authoritative and supportive advice you need to succeed.
