Biodiversity Net Gain

This webpage provides a summary of requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), in the context of planning applications within our district.

For detailed guidance on the full process - including monitoring fees, application requirements, and legal agreements - please read our Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note.

Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to the development and management of land, which aims to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than it was before development happened. It will ensure habitats for wildlife are retained, enhanced and created through the development process.

Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions - with a few exceptions - must deliver a minimum of 10% increase in the biodiversity net gain delivered compared to the pre-development baseline. BNG will be measured using Defra’s biodiversity metric, and all net gains will need to be secured and monitored for at least 30 years.

These commitments are further developed in Policy LP16 of our new Joint Local Plan and in the Biodiversity Net Gain Interim Planning Guidance Note for Suffolk. More detailed guidance on BNG will also be set out in a new Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document.

Our vision reflects the principles and proportionality of BNG as set out in Professor Sir John Lawton’s report, Making Space for Nature. The report’s main message was that we need to make our network of sites more, bigger, better and joined to protect and restore biodiversity.

For us, this means:

• creating new sites
• increasing the size of wildlife sites
• protecting what we have, while improving its quality with better management including through buffers for wildlife sites
• enhancing connection by creating new wildlife corridors or stepping stones;

What Biodiversity Metrics assess

1. Habitat Type: The habitats present on site determined by a competent person
2. Habitat Size: The area of each habitat type present on site, compared to the habitat area proposed to be retained, enhanced or created
3. Distinctiveness: A score based on the type of habitat present
4. Condition: A score based on the biodiversity value of the habitat relative to others of the same type. This is determined by condition criteria set out in the technical supplement

Householder applications

Householder applications do not need to meet BNG requirements. However, our Joint Local Plan Policy LP16 states that biodiversity enhancement measures should be provided in any new development.

You will be need to cover one or more of the following from this Biodiversity Checklist:

• Integral bat boxes
• Integral bird boxes/bricks: Rather than generalist bird boxes, these should be tailored to priority species such as House Sparrow, Starling, Swift and others. Check the list of priority species
• Integral bee bricks
• Green roofs/walls or Brown/"Living" roofs: These should support diverse habitats, sedum is not considered appropriate as it is a monoculture. For more information, read the Green Roof Code
• Hedgehog friendly fencing (Please Note: This is only relevant for fencing applications)
• Biodiversity Enhancements - Householder Development Guide

Discharging your BNG Condition

Where planning permission has been granted and this is subject to the statutory BNG condition, you will need to apply to discharge the condition.

If the proposals meet our definition for significant enhancement on-site, or off-site (not statutory credits or habitat banks) this is a three step process.  You will have to apply to discharge the condition before you make the S106 application.

For more information, please read our Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note.

Application fees

• Off-site (not by statutory credits or habitat banks: £500
• Significant on-site: £500

Please Note: Legal fees (drafting and completing the S106 Agreement) and monitoring fees will also apply.