Planning submissions
The biodiversity net gain process is built around the pre-commencement condition. This is when the full details of the metric calculations and of the measures to be taken to secure 10% net gain are required.
Enough information will need to be submitted with the planning application for the local planning authority to be satisfied that a suitable net gain solution exists for that development.
The biodiversity information submitted with the planning application should include the metric calculations. This is as well as pre and post-development habitat maps. It should show details of the development of habitat creation to achieve net gain. This work should be undertaken by an experienced Ecologist. This will allow the pre-commencement condition to be discharged without delay.
A draft BNG plan must be submitted with the planning application. This is to demonstrate that the relevant issues have been fully considered. For example -
- how the 10% net gain will be secured
- where the habitat will be created
- how it will be delivered
Enough detail must be provided to satisfy the local planning authority that condition compliance can be achieved at a later stage.
The minimum validation requirements are a -
- correctly completed application form
- completed statutory biodiversity metric. Guidance on statutory biodiversity metric tools and guides can be found on the government website
- statement confirming if the biodiversity value of the on-site habitat is lower on the date of the application, or an earlier date, because of degradation result of ‘trashing’. In which case the value must be immediately before degradation. Evidence should be provided to support this
- description of any on-site irreplaceable habitats on land which the application relates to and exists on the date of application
- plan at a recognised scale with North identified showing on-site habitat on the date of application including irreplaceable habitat. This should be shown within the red outline, not blue, on the site location plan
These requirements apply to -
- full applications for major development
- outline applications for major development
- section 73 applications for major developments. This is only applicable in cases where the original planning application was received on or after the BNG implementation date