East Midlands Wildlife Habitats and Nature Quality
Back in 2006, the East Midlands Regional Assembly developed a report on the condition of the region called Putting Wildlife Back on the Map – a biodiversity strategy and local plan for the East Midlands. The report claims that the state of biodiversity in the East Midlands is suffering from a gradual decline, leading to the degradation of grasslands inhabited by various wildlife species, new developments undertaken at the expense of valuable heathlands, and wetlands left completely drained.
At the time, only dwindling numbers of animal habitats remained and, on average, at least one plant species became extinct per month. The report even claims that the East Midlands has seen a more devastating decline in biodiversity than any other region in England. Since the report, efforts from the corresponding local councils have looked to retain existing natural assets before building on them to enhance the standard of biodiversity in the region. Although initiatives led to minor progress, the introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) as part of the Environment Act implemented into law in November 2021 is set to have a far stronger long-term impact.
Biodiversity net gain is a planning policy that affects all land development projects in England through insisting on an increase of 10% in biodiversity value post-development to a better state compared to pre-development. From November 2021 onwards, the government were enforcing a two-year transition period to allow developers and local authorities alike to steadily adjust to the change. But with many local planning authorities already adhering to BNG, it would be advisable to develop an understanding of the emerging BNG policy and work it into your planning project whether you are developing in any of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire or Rutland within the East Midlands.
Councils in the East Midlands
Following completion of the two-year transition period, every council in England will be required to enforce the biodiversity net gain planning policy. Based on the location of your planning project, you may be interested to learn which council or councils you will need to satisfy with a 10% net gain of biodiversity. Below, you will find every local council in the region separated by county.
Derbyshire
- Amber Valley Borough Council
- Bolsover District Council
- Chesterfield Borough Council
- Derbyshire Dales District Council
- Erewash Borough Council
- High Peak Borough Council
- North East Derbyshire District Council
- South Derbyshire District Council
- Derby City Council
- Peak District National Park Authority
Leicestershire
- Blaby District Council
- Charnwood Borough Council
- Harborough District Council
- Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
- Leicester City Council
- Leicestershire County Council
- Melton Borough Council
- North West Leicestershire District Council
- Oadby & Wigston Borough Council
Lincolnshire
- Boston Borough Council Council
- East Lindsey District Council
- Lincoln City Council
- Lincolnshire County Council
- North Kesteven District Council
- Sleaford Town Council
- South Holland District Council
- South Kesteven District Council
- West Lindsey District Council
Northamptonshire
- Borough Council of Wellingborough
- Corby Borough Council
- Daventry District Council
- East Northants District Council
- Kettering Borough Council
- North and West Northamptonshire Council
- Northamptonshire County Council
- South Northants District Council
Nottinghamshire
- Ashfield District Council
- Bassetlaw District Council
- Broxtowe District Council
- Gedling Borough Council
- Mansfield District Council
- Newark and Sherwood District Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
- Rushcliffe Borough Council
Rutland
- Harborough District Council
- Oakham Town Council
- Rutland County Council
Following the BNG Requirement
Pledging to improve the quality of the natural environment after planning projects are undertaken, biodiversity net gain is one of several core emerging policies within the Environment Act 2021. In order for it to work, an ecologist needs to measure the level of biodiversity prior to the development and use the details of the project to determine the likely biodiversity value after it is completed.
If the outcome reaches or exceeds the 10% net gain, they will have met the requirement. If not, the ecological consultant will be equipped to suggest changes that will achieve BNG. Measuring BNG is possible through the use of a universal biodiversity metric that will outline the environmental quality of a site.
An ecologist’s priority would be to meet the planning requirement on-site, but if this isn’t possible, BNG credits can be purchased to enhance the state of biodiversity off-site in a way that benefits another section of the country. While it is perfectly likely that many local planning authorities will bypass the rules of BNG until it is mandatory in the year 2023, it would be advisable to act as if the emerging BNG policies are already enforced to avoid any costly delays to your project.
Biodiversity Net Gain Surveyors
For many ecologists, the relatively speedy implementation of biodiversity net gain has meant that it has been difficult to grasp. Between a period of just three short years, BNG was announced as part of the 2018 spring statement and brought into law in the Environment Act 2021, leaving many ecological consultancies rushing to keep up with the demands of the planning policy.
As developers are required to adhere to biodiversity net gain, ensuring that you receive effective advice from a knowledgeable ecologist is utterly crucial. Our team of ecological surveyors, for instance, are fully qualified and experienced in carrying out impactful ecological assessments and developing biodiversity net gain plans that benefit development projects and guarantee the required net gain on the site.
Apply for a BNG Assessment Quote
In a site visit, an ecological consultant will conduct a biodiversity net gain assessment to analyse all natural elements and ecological features in the vicinity. Between a visual inspection of the site and data collected about the project from the developer, the ecologist can gauge methods of ensuring that the 10% net gain increase or the highest number possible is met once the development is complete. The resulting BNG plan will then satisfy your local planning authority, act as instructions to meet the requirement, and allow you to progress your application for planning permission.
You may be under the impression that your local planning authority has already begun to follow the strict rules of biodiversity net gain, or you could simply be operating within the planning policy to bypass any likely problems in case they are. Either way, booking one of our ecologists to create a BNG plan for your development would be worthwhile for maintaining within the policy.
Through contacting us via the quote form or using the phone number above, we can take down your details and give you a free quote based on the specifications of your site and project. Assuming you are happy to proceed, we will then work with you to find a suitable time to conduct the assessment, and one of our ecologists will be able to produce a BNG plan to appease the relevant authorities and progress your development.