In 2018, the Government published a 25-year Environment Plan for the natural environment, to make sure that we ‘‘leave our environment in a better state than we found it.’’ Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is part of the government’s solution to achieve this, supporting the mitigation hierarchy - to firstly avoid, minimise, restore and lastly offset impacts.
On Monday 12th February BNG, became mandatory for major developments in England and it will apply to minor sites in England from April this year.
For decades, development has been a significant cause of nature loss, but this new legal requirement means developers will have to deliver measurably more for nature than is lost through development.
The Wildlife Trusts have been influencing the evolution of BNG for well over a decade and want to see high standards set for its delivery that ensures it delivers more than the minimum. In a new briefing, the Wildlife Trusts outlined a series of measures to raise that ambition. Done well, BNG should make a genuine positive contribution towards nature’s recovery and help address the climate emergency in the process.
As providers of BNG habitat, we are also leading the way in providing strategic off-site solutions to BNG - not simply offsetting in another region, but making enhancements locally and grounded in our over 60 years of managing land for wildlife. We have strong links with landowners and land managers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and are well placed to deliver BNG both strategically and on a bespoke basis.
Senior Nature‑Based Solutions Manager, Deborah Whitfield said “As long as the legislation is strong, best practice is followed and the delivery is monitored, Biodiversity Net Gain will be a key mechanism for delivering nature-based solutions. Our ambition is that BNG becomes a key tool in delivering our ambitions for 30by30 - for at least 30% of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s land and sea to be connected and protected for nature’s recovery by 2030.”
If you wish to enquire about purchasing BNG units please contact us via the form link on the page below.
Environmental Credits