LUC Associate Ecologist, Sofie Swindlehurst, presented at a Kings Chambers Planning Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) online panel discussion last week.

Chaired by Kings Chambers Planning’s Jonathan Easton, the interactive session addressed the challenges associated with identifying and delivering BNG, specifically within the housing sector.

In a time when the UK faces both a sharp shortfall in housing and continued decline in biodiversity, legislation and planning policy have shifted to seek enhancement (net gain) for biodiversity that is in line with the aspirational spirit of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

Delivery of enhancement as part of new development is a logical solution. It offers the opportunity to restore, enhance and extend our ecological networks as new communities are built, and to generate ownership therein. The discussion clarified interpretation of the legal and policy drivers behind BNG. It also explored the different interpretations implemented by Local Planning Authorities.

Sofie spoke on the mechanics of BNG calculation, how this might best address the original issue of deficit in our locally distinct ecological networks, and the inter-relationship of site-specific and strategic delivery of BNG.

LUC supports delivery of site-specific BNG as part of our Ecological Assessment service, and at the borough and county-wide scale as part of our Strategic Ecology service.

Learn more about Ecology at LUC.