Comment

Representation ID: 23160

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Environment Agency

We support the requirement that all development shall deliver a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value when measured against baseline site information.

New developments should not only protect watercourses and their riparian corridors but also provide overall net gain for biodiversity. Net gain for biodiversity is defined as delivering more or better habitats for biodiversity and demonstrating this through use of the Defra Biodiversity Metric. It encourages development that delivers biodiversity improvements through habitat creation or enhancement after avoiding or mitigating harm.

The Government introduced the Environment Bill in January 2020 to ensure that the overall impact from development on the environment is positive. The Bill includes measures to strengthen local government powers in relation to net gain and a minimum requirement of 10% biodiversity net gain. Chapter 15 and Paragraphs 174, 175, 179
&180 of Nationally Planning Policy Framework (NNPF) contain strengthened net gain policies. We encourage you to consider an approach to development that results in measurable net gains in biodiversity, having taken positive and negative impacts into account. Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) provides guidance on the application of net gain.