NatureSpace is undertaking a feasibility study relating to the integration of District Licensing delivery with that of biodiversity net gain (BNG)

About the project

As of 12 February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is mandatory under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021). All developments will be required to deliver at least a 10% biodiversity unit gain as calculated by a standardised metric published by DEFRA, with minor developments entering later in 2024 and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in 2025.

NatureSpace, along with the Newt Conservation Partnership, have received funding from the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund administered by the DEFRA group to deliver a project titled “Building a new investment model to use England’s small waterbodies and wetlands to deliver 25YEP goals”. This project explores the integration of BNG and District Licensing delivery to offer both a cost saving to developers and divert funding to allow BNG monies to contribute to freshwater conservation projects that are ecologically high-value and contribute towards the 25-year environment plan goals of “thriving plants and wildlife”, “clean and plentiful water” and “mitigating climate change and adapting to its impact”.

NatureSpace and the Newt Conservation Partnership are therefore considering the delivery of BNG alongside District Licensing.  Below are answers to some of the key questions NatureSpace regularly receives.