The law means that developers will be required to leave the natural world in a better state than it was prior to their development taking place. Almost all developments that get built from November this year will need to result in a 10 per cent increase in natural habitat.

Many developers will be able to achieve this on their development site itself, for example by putting in features such as ponds or wildlife areas. But if they’re not able to do this on their own site, they will need to create this natural habitat on land elsewhere.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is working hard behind the scenes to ensure that Biodiversity Net Gain really delivers for nature. Our ambition is that any habitat creation or improvements that are undertaken as part of BNG align with the Nature Recovery Network map and further down the line, can help fund the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Staffordshire’s Nature Recovery Network map is a map developed using the latest ecological data which shows the optimum locations for nature recovery within the county – indicating where habitat should be restored and created to maximise ecological connectivity and increase the benefits for nature.

To help ensure that BNG delivers the best outcomes for nature, the Trust is currently developing a web platform called Net Gain Staffordshire which aims to make the BNG process simple and transparent. On the platform, landowners will be able to register land that is available, for habitat creation and/or restoration, on an online map of the Nature Recovery Network. Developers looking for land to deliver BNG offsite will be able to use the map to locate sites, and guidance will be given to help them find appropriate sites within the Nature Recovery Network.

Local authorities have a crucial role to play in the delivery of BNG, as they are responsible for approving planning applications within their area, so must ensure BNG requirements are satisfied. The Net Gain Staffordshire platform will provide them with a vital tool for helping developers find the right BNG sites, in alignment with the Nature Recovery Network and emerging Local Nature Recovery Strategy, within their authority area.

During the next stage of its development, the platform will also display information about each BNG project – such as how the habitat management plan is progressing.

The Trust has been talking to planning teams and elected members from local authorities across the county about BNG and the Net Gain Staffordshire platform. We’d like all local authorities across Staffordshire to sign up to use it.

We’re also talking to landowners and developers about BNG, as the Trust is keen to work with all parties to make sure BNG is implemented properly. We can offer advice on what habitat opportunities are available on a landholding, as well as taking on the management and monitoring of a site.

We held a free webinar for landowners and farmers, which you can view via the recording below.

When planning any development of course, it is vital that developers always follow the Mitigation Hierarchy, which is a set of prioritised steps designed to minimise harm to biodiversity. Harm to natural habitats should always be avoided in the first instance.

If you have land over five hectares that you are interested in managing for nature and generating an income from through Biodiversity Net Gain, please get in touch on bionetgain@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

If you have any general queries about Biodiversity Net Gain or Net Gain Staffordshire, you can get in touch at the same address.