England is the first country in the world to make Biodiversity Net Gain a legal requirement.
The new rules form part of the Government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030. In simple terms developers are now legally required to leave wildlife habitats in a measurably better state than before development began.
To support implementation and enforcement of the new rules £10.6m has been allocated to local authorities to recruit and expand ecologist teams.
Since 2010 an area larger than the size of Dorset has been restored for nature. This new rule builds on that and will help to ensure that no one is further than 15 minutes from a local green space or water.
Biodiversity Net Gain requires developers to avoid harm to nature however, where this is unavoidable, new habitats must be created or existing ones enhanced. Thanks to the Environment Act 2021 councils have enforcement powers over conservation covenants while Natural England will monitor off-site biodiversity projects.
Commenting on this Andrew Jones MP said: “I am pleased that Biodiversity Net Gain is no longer optional for developers.
“Locally we have seen development on greenfield sites and I know this causes concern for local wildlife habitats.
“I share the Government’s view that there should be a brownfield first approach to building. It is however important that, where this is not possible, developers do not simply offset losses but add ten per cent more than what was in place previously.
“The Government’s work to restore habitats since 2010 has delivered results and it is crucial that this is accelerated as opposed to losing ground as new homes are built.”
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