Introduced in February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requires developers to leave the natural world in a better state by increasing the amount of natural habitat that was present prior to development by at least 10%.
Since the new policy was announced, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has been leading the way and working with local authorities, landowners and developers to ensure BNG results in the best outcomes for nature across the county.
Over the last 12 months, the nature conservation charity has been awarded Responsible Body status by DEFRA, meaning it can enter into legally-binding agreements with landowners and developers called ‘conservation covenants’.
One of the key uses of these agreements is to enable the delivery of BNG by establishing the long-term protection of a landholding for nature conservation.
The Trust also launched a new website, www.netgainstaffs.com, to help ensure that any funds generated for nature recovery through BNG are used to get the biggest benefits for nature.
The platform is underpinned by the latest ecological data from around the county and helps local authorities and developers locate the most suitable areas for nature recovery.
The Trust’s Net Gain Development Manager Gigi Hennessy said that Biodiversity Net Gain was an important part of the planning process, especially in light of the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years.
