Embracing Biodiversity Net Gain: A Path to Sustainable Development for Parish, Town and Community Councils

Description:

In this presentation, Andrew Maliphant, Environmental & Sustainability Advisor for the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), delves into the crucial concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and its application to Town and Parish Councils in England and Wales. With over 25 years of experience in regeneration programme and project management, Andrew offers practical insights and actionable steps for integrating biodiversity considerations into local planning and development processes.

Key Highlights:

Understanding BNG: Learn about the principles of Biodiversity Net Gain, its legislative background under the Environment Act 2021, and its importance in ensuring that new developments leave natural habitats in a measurably better state.
BNG in England and Wales: Explore how BNG is applied differently in England and Wales, including specific legislative frameworks and approaches to enhancing biodiversity.
Practical Steps for Local Councils: Discover actionable strategies for local councils to promote biodiversity, including conducting biodiversity audits, engaging with local conservation groups, and integrating biodiversity policies into neighborhood plans.
Managing Sites for Biodiversity: Gain insights into best practices for managing sites to support biodiversity, such as rotational mowing, reducing artificial fertilizers, and planting more trees and hedges.
Addressing Challenges: Learn from real-world Q&A insights on overcoming common obstacles, such as community resistance and ensuring off-site biodiversity gains are genuinely beneficial.
Collaboration and Resources: Understand the importance of collaboration with local organizations and community groups, and explore valuable resources to support biodiversity efforts.
Join us in this informative session to enhance your understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain and learn how to contribute to sustainable development and environmental stewardship within your local community.

Download the presentation to explore these topics in detail and access valuable resources to guide your biodiversity initiatives.

Keywords:
Biodiversity Net Gain, BNG, Environment Act 2021, Sustainable Development, Local Councils, Town and Parish Councils, Biodiversity Policy, Environmental Management, Community Engagement, Conservation, Andrew Maliphant, SLCC.

Contact Information:
Andrew Maliphant, Environmental & Sustainability Advisor for SLCC
Email: [email protected]
The Great Collaboration: [email protected]

For more insights and resources, visit:
The Great Collaboration
SLCC's Climate Action

1. Biodiversity Net Gain
Photo courtesy Climate Action Now

2. Welcome to
today’s
discussion

3. Biodiversity duty
1
•Note what the council is already doing to conserve
and enhance biodiversity (no formal report in
England, biennial report in Wales)
•Review biodiversity or nature recovery plans from
other local authorities / parishes
•Agree a biodiversity policy
2
•Make contact withlocal voluntary groups working on
nature conservation.
•Carry out a biodiversity audit of council landholdings
and/or the whole council area
3
•Gather expert advice on possible actions in support
of biodiversity
•Draft an action plan
4
for what the council will do
itself as well as supporting other activity.
www.southglos.gov.uk

4. Biodiversity Net Gain
(BNG) - what is it?
•From the Environment Act 2021,
the principle is to enhance
biodiversity
•BNG is intended to ensure that
habitats for wildlife are left in a
MEASURABLY better state after
development
•All qualifying planning permission
in England is required to deliver at
least 10% biodiversity net gain.
Photo courtesy Climate Action Now

5. Welsh Government
Approach
•September 2022 briefing from the
Chartered Institute of Ecology and
Environmental Management
•“The net-benefits for biodiversity
approach by Welsh Government…
does not use a metric… instead it
puts the emphasis on proactive
consideration of biodiversity and
wider ecosystem benefits within a
placemaking context early in the
design process”
•Policy consultation May 2023

6. Who is it for in England?
•Generally, any planning applications
for a single dwelling or more
•(Not housing extensions)
•Commercial development of more
than 1,000 square metres or
1 hectare
•Minerals or waste related
development
•Nationally significant infrastructure
projects (thresholds are defined
under Sections 15-30A of the
Planning Act 2008) – but not yet
Photo © CopyrightDavid Martin

7. www.gov.uk/guidance/biodiversity-net-gain-
what-local-planning-authorities-should-do
DEVELOPER’S APPLICATION:
•Confirmation that BNG is applicable
•Calculation of the biodiversity value
of the site (for measuring)
•Description of any irreplaceable
habitat
•A habitat plan of the whole site
LOCAL COUNCILS TO CHECK:
•If not, why not?
•Have they missed anything?
•Is there really no alternative?
•Is it accurate?

8. Biodiversity Net Gain Plan
(the Government template
is not mandatory!)
DEVELOPER’S APPLICATION -
ITEMS FOR LOCAL COUNCILS
TO CHECK:
•To what extent the net
gains are to be provided
on-site and off-site
•A draft habitat
management plan for on-
site biodiversity
•Plan for any off-site
biodiversity gain
Photo courtesy The Hobbs Parker Group

9. Words of caution…
•Some developers have (already) claimed there is no
biodiversity on site! (we can backdate descriptions)
•Proposals that private gardens are part of the
solution may not be binding on those households
•There is an option to buy “biodiversity credits” -
which may mean any improvements happen miles
away – so get our own local proposals in early!
•BNG plans are usually only agreed AFTER planning
permission has been given, and local councils are
not asked to be involved in those discussions

10. Some steps to consider
•Contact existing wildlife /
conservation groups
•Have stands at the annual parish
meeting (England)
•Organise talks by specialist
professionals / local experts
•Carry out a Bioblitz
5
•Plot the results and other
planning considerations on an
area map
Photo courtesy Bristol Natural History Consortium

11. Managing sites for biodiversity
•No mowing in (April?) May apart from
actual playing areas, to allow wildflowers
to support pollinating insects.
•Only one mowing a year where possible
and consider rotational mowing in sections
to avoid mowing an entire site at once
(good for hibernating insects and ground
nesting birds) - aim to mow in August /
September after seeding.
•No artificial fertilisers that reduce the
quality of grasslands
•Planting more trees and hedges
•Trialling alternatives to pesticides

12. We can’t do it all on our own
6
Photo courtesy Black & Veatch

13. Where to get further advice
1.Complying with the
biodiversity duty
2.Model biodiversity policy
3.Local Nature Action Plan Field
Guide
4.Local Nature Action Plans
5.Run Your Own Bioblitz
6.Top Tips for Community
Engagement
Sample Climate Change Working Group
Sample Climate and Ecology Sub-
Committee
Environmental Planning Guidance
Commenting on Local Planning
Applications
How to Plant a Tree
Nature recovery – The Wildlife Trusts
www.slcc.co.uk/climate-action/
[email protected]

15. www.greatcollaboration.uk
A newly-formed organisation the Place-
Based Initiative Ltd has begun the process of
updating the Great Collaborationwebsiteto
include more good climate action practice
for town and parish councils and their
communities.
To help us with that, we are running
open weekly sessions on Zoom to:
•Host short expert presentations
•Gather suggestions and additions for
climate action good practice
•Allow people to become more
involved in the project
To join the sessions at midday on Wednesdays, please register via this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcu2urjMvGdJH09t0GQ72fBJSFr9zzIDj
Find us on Facebook also

16. We want to work with you
The Great Collaboration will be very pleased to hear
from anyone who wishes to become more involved
in this project in any number of ways, such as:
•helping to develop new guidance and adding good
practice to the website.
•using digital mapping to show activity and
opportunities around the country
•agreeing to be a point of contact for a particular
type of action or expertise – whether climate or
environmental action, nature recovery or
supporting biodiversity
•supporting Great Collaboration communications,
including networking within counties.
Photo courtesy Co-operatives UK
You can contact us by email at
[email protected]