Biodiversity net gain consultation
On 2 December 2018, Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced the government is consulting on mandating biodiversity net gain in development. The plans would require that developers ensure habitats for wildlife are enhanced and left in a measurably better state than they were pre-development.
Developers would have to assess the type of habitat and its condition before submitting plans, and would then be required to demonstrate how they are improving biodiversity, for example, through the creation of green corridors, planting more trees, or forming local nature spaces.
In the rare circumstances where improvements are not possible the consultation proposes to charge developers a levy to pay for habitat creation or improvement elsewhere. The consultation will also consider whether sites such as small and brownfield sites should be exempt.
The consultation builds on the experiences of local authorities and developers who have already adopted net gain approaches. For example, Berkley Group have committed to creating a net biodiversity gain within all their development sites and are working with London Wildlife Trust to build Kidbrooke Village, a 4,800 home development that contains 20 hectares of parkland. Warwickshire County Council have also trialled and implemented a system to ensure all developments lead to no net loss of biodiversity, with each development preparing a Biodiversity Impact Assessment prior to building.
The government suggest the plans are the first step in their ambition to embed the principle of ‘environmental net gain’ in development, driving improvements in air quality, flood defences, clean water and so on.
Michael Gove, said; “Mandating biodiversity net gain puts the environment at the heart of planning and development. This will not only create better places for people to live and work, but ensure we leave our environment in a better state for future generations.”
Dr Julia Baker, Biodiversity Technical Specialist for Balfour Beatty, said; “Early planning allows for Biodiversity Net Gain measures to be integrated into the design, programme and budget of schemes, reducing the cost and ultimately generating long-term benefits for nature and society.”
The consultation runs until 10 February 2019.
Find out more at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gove-sets-out-proposals-for-greener-developments
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Biodiversity.
- Biodiversity gain.
- Biodiversity in the urban environment.
- Biodiversity offsetting.
- Biophilia.
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology.
- BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity.
- Ecological network.
- Ecological impact assessment.
- Ecology.
- Ecology compensation.
- Ecology connectivity.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Environmental net gain.
- Green infrastructure.
- Green roofs.
- Nature improvement area.
- Natural environment white paper.
- Sustainable development toolkit.
- The future of green infrastructure.
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.