Biodiversity Net Gain

The 2021 Environment Act placed a new duty on Local Planning Authorities to require a 10% increase in biodiversity value from new development requiring planning permission.

This became mandatory in two steps:

1. From 12th February 2024: all major housing developments are required to deliver at least a 10% net gain in Biodiversity.
2. From 2nd April 2024: all minor developments are required to deliver at least a 10% net gain in Biodiversity.

Biodiversity net gains (BNG) can be delivered either fully or in part through on-site habitat, off-site habitat, or as a last resort, the purchase of statutory biodiversity credits.

Policy JP-G 8 of 'Places for Everyone', requires new developments in Greater Manchester to produce a 10% gain in value, which can be demonstrated using the biodiversity metric developed by Natural England.

For further information, you may wish to visit:

• Planning Practice Guidance: Biodiversity net gain
• DEFRA Environment Blog
• Biodiversity net gain on the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website
• Natural England on GOV.UK
• GM Local Record Centre