Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way to contribute to the recovery of nature while developing land. It is making sure the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development.

The legislation, which is set by the government, requires new developments to have a minimum 10% positive impact (net gain) on biodiversity by creating and improving habitats.

This includes:

• grassland
• woodland
• ponds
• rivers
• heathland
• scrub
• trees

Read about our biodiversity improvements at:

• Nine Mile Ride 
• South Hill Park

Why it is needed

Biodiversity is the variety of life found in one area - the diversity of animals, plants, fungi, and even micro-organisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. It is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans.

A healthy natural environment benefits us all. It provides us with clean air, raw materials and helps with flood control. Accessing nature is proven to improve our mental and physical health and wellbeing.

There is legislation and policy in place to protect biodiversity. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 requires all public bodies to consider biodiversity conservation when carrying out their functions. 

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out planning policies which local planning authorities should have regard to on biodiversity matters.

Evidence collected by conservation and research organisations suggests that nature is still in decline. The State of Nature report published in 2019, suggests that 41% of species in the United Kingdom have declined in abundance since the 1970s. The report examines how human impacts are driving sweeping changes.
 
BNG, under the Environment Act 2021, is intended to be a mechanism for improving biodiversity on a wider scale, in addition to the existing habitat and species protections. On a local level, BNG will help to improve the quality of life for people who live or work in Bracknell Forest by creating a greener environment, rich in wildlife. It will also help combat climate change and flood control.

Who it applies to

BNG applies to developers and landowners, private and public, making planning applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

There are certain exemptions to BNG, which includes householders making planning applications.

How it works

When making a planning application in England, applicants must submit specific information to show that they can deliver habitat improvements to meet a required minimum 10% BNG.

Avoiding impacts on biodiversity which already exists on the development site should be the first consideration so design of the development is very important.

Where impacts cannot be avoided, habitats can be created:

• on the development site - this is preferred 
• offsite
• through a combination of both

As a last resort, biodiversity credits can be purchased from the government.
 
To help in this process, qualified ecologists can be employed to carry out habitat surveys. The biodiversity metric is an approach used to assess an area’s value to wildlife and uses habitat features to calculate a biodiversity value. See BNG calculation guidance on GOV.UK.

New habitats must also provide genuine gains with a legacy of at least 30 years.

Our commitment

The Environment Act 2021 gives public authorities in England a strengthened legal duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
 
As a local planning authority, we must:

• assess ways to conserve and enhance biodiversity
• produce policies and specific objectives based on our assessment
• implement these policies to achieve our objectives
• report on the action taken to comply with these new biodiversity duties

Effective delivery of BNG is an important part of our commitment to a greener Bracknell Forest, where habitats and species across the area are protected for years to come.

The council has the responsibility for:

• checking that biodiversity gains proposed are achievable
• monitoring biodiversity gains
• taking enforcement action if obligations are not upheld

We are working to offer offsite biodiversity units to developers by creating and enhancing biodiversity on our own land.

BNG is at the forefront of our planning system, and is contained in the Local Plan. We already required some BNG from major developments before this became a requirement.

Advice note

Our BNG requirements and guidance advice note sets out what BNG information is required for planning applications in Bracknell Forest.

The guide is aimed at developers, businesses and homeowners.

Applicants who submitted a planning application before 12 February 2024 should refer to section 19 of the document.

BNG is a developing area of planning policy, and this guidance may be updated over time. Please check for updated guidance on our BNG page.

Detailed advice for BNG proposals can be provided through the council’s charged pre-application advice service.

We will be producing a Supplementary Planning Document to support the emerging Local Plan Biodiversity Policy.

Working in partnership

We are meeting with other Berkshire local authorities and various stakeholders, such as landowners, to take action to support BNG.
 
We were recently awarded Responsible Body (RB) status (GOV.UK). This enables us to enter into conservation covenant agreements with landowners in England. Due to capacity constraints this work is likely to be limited to sites with Bracknell Forest.