What is a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment?
The term “biodiversity” comes from the term Biological Diversity and refers to the variety of living organisms that can be found in an area of land. This can include animals, plants, insects, bacteria and fungi. The Biodiversity Net Gain initiative is designed to be a method of contributing to the recovery of nature, whilst still developing the land. It came about following the release of the State of Nature report which suggested that there has been a 13% decline in the average wildlife throughout the UK, since the 1970s. It is therefore designed to ensure that the habitat for wildlife is left in a better state than it was before development..
Why are Biodiversity Assessments in Liverpool Required?
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments in Liverpool and throughout the UK are now mandatory as part of the planning process. This is to ensure overall biodiversity enhancements during any new developments in the Liverpool area. Biodiversity Assessments in Liverpool involve boosting the existing biodiversity on-site and creating new habitat that aims to surpass the previous biodiversity levels on site. These need to demonstrate a 10% ‘net gain’.
Therefore if you’re looking to get planning permission for a site in Liverpool you will require a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment (BNG). All property developers must avoid any loss of habitat on the land they plan to develop. However, if this is not possible, then they must attempt to create new habitat either on the site or in an alternative location nearby. If a property developer cannot create a new habitat, they will have the option to buy statutory credits from the government. However, they must provide evidence in order to use this option and it must be a last resort.
Exclusions for Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments in Liverpool:
These exclusions include:
– Requests for retrospective planning permission.
– Planning applications submitted prior to the 12th February 2024.
– Any applications to vary a planning condition on planning permission granted before the 12th February 2024.
– Development works that do not impact a priority habitat and impacts less than 25 square metres of non-priority habitat. Alternatively, the development works should not impact more than 5 metres of non-priority linear habitat.
– The development of an existing property, except to change its use or change the number of dwellings within the property.
– Small scale self-build projects that consist of no more than 9 dwellings, are carried out on a site which is no larger than 0.5 hectares and consist exclusively of dwellings that are self-built.
– Development upon biodiversity gain sites, which are designed solely to enhance the biodiversity on behalf of other development sites, or provide access to the public for educational or recreational purposes without charging a fee.
– Development which is part of or ancillary to the High-Speed Transport Network.
Contact Us:
Do you require Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments in Liverpool? Please give us a ring on 01782 479479 (Head office) or get in touch for more information.
Does it matter what size my development is?
BNGs became mandatory for both major and small developments from the 2nd of April 2024.
As defined by the Land Use Policy team, major developments include:
– Residential developments with 10 or more dwellings.
– A development where the site area is greater than 0.5 hectares.
A small site development has been defined as:
– Residential developments consisting of 1 to 9 dwellings.
– Residential developments where the site area is less than 0.5 hectares.
– Commercial developments where the floor space that is being created is less than 1000 square metres.
– Commercial developments where the total site area is less than 1 hectare.
Biodiversity Net Gain assessments in Liverpool will be required for nearly all new applications for planning permission by the Merseyside council.
