Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development which ensures that habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development.
In England, BNG is mandatory under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021) and requires developers to achieve a 10% increase in biodiversity (Source: Gov.uk).
How does it link to river restoration?
As developers are required to improve biodiversity as part of their development plans, Biodiversity Net Gain represents an opportunity to better integrate river and floodplain improvements at an early stage. It is assessed through the use of a statutory metric which measures all types of habitat, including rivers and streams.
Related projects & courses
The statutory biodiversity metric is a biodiversity accounting tool that can be used for the purposes of calculating biodiversity net gain. This page includes links to published information about the metric and the process of achieving BNG.
The statutory biodiversity metric can be used or specified by any development project, consenting body or landowner that needs to calculate biodiversity losses and gains for terrestrial, aquatic (including watercourses) and intertidal habitats. Work is underway to develop an approach to marine net gain for English waters, including better integration of intertidal and sub-tidal habitats as marine net gain evolves.
You can find detailed information and guidance on the gov.uk website, here: Biodiversity net gain - GOV.UK
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