Biodiversity Net Gain Requirements in Coventry
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has become a central part of planning policy following its introduction into UK law through the Environment Act 2021. The concept is simple yet ambitious – every new development should leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. For most applications to a local authority for planning consent, with only limited exemptions, meeting biodiversity net gain requirements is now a legal obligation.
For developments in the Coventry City Council area, this means that biodiversity net gain requirements must be factored into pre-development planning. Local authorities will expect applicants to work with qualified ecological consultants to assess the existing biodiversity value of a development site before any works begin, then demonstrate how the finished development will deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity. This improvement can be achieved through on-site habitat creation, off-site measures, or a mixture of both, but it must be fully evidenced and approved as part of the planning process.
Following a two year transition period, since February 2024, BNG has been enforced nationwide as part of the Environment Act, embedded within the National Planning Policy Framework and supported by guidance from Natural England, local planning authorities, the Town and Country Planning Act and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. As the planning authority, Coventry Council implements biodiversity net gain requirements alongside other planning considerations, such as sustainable development, meaning that developers must treat a biodiversity net gain plan as a core component of project design and compliance.
Ecological Features in Coventry
Coventry is a dynamic city with a blend of historic environment, urban development, green corridors, and valuable habitats. The River Sherbourne and surrounding parks and woodlands support a range of protected species, including bats, great crested newts, badgers, and a variety of birdlife. Brownfield sites within the city can also hold significant ecological value, often hosting rare plants and invertebrates.
The importance of nature in this area of the West Midlands is underlined by initiatives such as the nearby Solihull Green Infrastructure Strategy instigated by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, and similar efforts to enhance biodiversity from Warwickshire County Council.
Because of this diversity, Coventry Council is focused on ensuring that new development projects contribute to long-term environmental gains and improving biodiversity in the natural environment. To fulfil BNG requirements, plans must align with local ecological priorities, such as preserving wildlife corridors, enhancing public green spaces, and contributing to Warwickshire’s Nature Recovery Network.
Habitat Enhancement and BNG requirements
Developers in Coventry should be aware that BNG plans will be reviewed carefully by the local authority to ensure they deliver measurable, lasting benefits. The emphasis is on preventing habitat loss where possible, improving biodiversity and degraded habitats, and integrating new green infrastructure such as wetlands, wildflower meadows and tree planting schemes.
Urban areas present unique opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, such as installing green roofs, creating pollinator-friendly planting schemes, and incorporating sustainable drainage systems that double as wildlife habitats and may satisfy bng requirements. Where direct on-site enhancements cannot deliver the full 10% net gain, off-site biodiversity units from registered habitat banks may be used, ideally within the local area to maintain ecological connectivity.
Satisfying BNG Requirements on Planning Projects
Before planning permission can be granted, a formal BNG assessment prepared by a qualified ecologist is required by a local planning authority. This involves establishing a baseline biodiversity value for the development site, identifying habitat types, measuring their condition and recording any legally protected species. The data is then entered into the government’s Biodiversity Metric tool to produce a pre-development biodiversity value.
The ecologist will then assess the predicted post development biodiversity value, taking into account measures for improving biodiversity such as landscaping, habitat creation, and management measures. If the calculations show a shortfall, additional measures must be designed to meet or exceed the 10% bng requirements.
Delivering BNG
In Coventry, priority is given to on-site delivery of BNG wherever possible. This may include enhancing existing habitats, creating new ones, and ensuring long-term management for at least 30 years, as required by law. Biodiversity offsetting measures are considered only when on-site options are not feasible; these must be secured through legal agreements to guarantee delivery and monitoring.
A complete BNG plan will outline exactly how these gains will be achieved, provide timelines for implementation, and explain how ongoing monitoring will be carried out to ensure the improvements remain in place. The plan should follow the mitigation hierarchy: avoid habitat loss where possible, minimise unavoidable impacts, and offset any remaining biodiversity loss through habitat creation or enhancement.
BNG support in Coventry
Our ecological consultancy works with developers, architects, and planners across the UK to deliver compliant biodiversity net gain plans to support applications for planning permission. We have extensive experience producing baseline surveys, Biodiversity Metric calculations, and can provide guidance on long-term habitat management strategies that meet the bng requirements of Coventry City Council and other local authorities.
Where off-site biodiversity units are required, we can help identify suitable habitat banks and handle the necessary reporting processes. Our team understands Coventry’s ecological priorities, green infrastructure strategies, and bng requirements, enabling us to design BNG solutions that are fully compliant with UK government legislation.
Whether your planning projects involve major applications, commercial development projects, a permitted development scheme or a small-scale planning application, integrating biodiversity net gain early in the design process can help avoid redesigns to planning applications.
Request a Free Quote for Biodiversity Gain Plans in Coventry
If your project falls within the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull sub region of the west midlands and requires a biodiversity net gain assessment, contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. If you decide to accept it, we can arrange a site visit at a time that suits you and provide clear, actionable advice on the next steps.
Our consultants will prepare a detailed, compliant plan tailored to your site, ensuring you meet local authority BNG requirements and secure planning permission for your development site, while contributing to Coventry’s ecological future.