This webpage is designed to provide some base-level information about Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), with some local context into how it will be managed within Telford & Wrekin Council. There is a significant amount of BNG information freely available online, with the main source being government webpages. BNG information, guidance and procedures will vary between sectors, development types, Local Planning Authorities and individual applications. Wider government guidance provides more detailed information on the complex and diverse nature of this policy and we strongly advise the reading of this guidance when considering development of any scale.

Visit the GOV.UK website to read the DEFRA BNG guidance for developers

Download the latest version of our BNG guidance (.pdf Size: 1229Kb)

What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Biodiversity is the variety of animals, plants and other living things. Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a development approach that seeks to enhance the biodiversity of a site over a fixed period of time, ultimately resulting in a higher biodiversity value than prior to the development.

The biodiversity value of a site is measured prior to development to establish the baseline. This involves an assessment of the types of habitat present such as grassland, woodland, heathland or hedgerow, and a condition assessment to establish the quality of the habitats present. A second biodiversity assessment of the post-development site design and landscaping proposals is then carried out to establish the biodiversity unit value of the completed development, using the same criteria as the baseline assessment. The aim of BNG is for the post-development biodiversity value to be higher than the baseline. BNG aims to halt the national net loss of biodiversity, to reverse the decline and to support the delivery of higher quality, better connected ecological networks.

The minimum legal increase required by BNG is 10%, however more is strongly encouraged in Telford and Wrekin. This will need to be maintained for 30 years post completion.

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