In November 2021, the Environment Act introduced Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as legal obligations.
A LNRS is a connected system of places on land and water important for wild plants and animals, providing them space to adapt to climate change, rest, feed and breed.
BNG is an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before a development.
Designed for compatibility with existing wildlife protection legislation, well-planned LNRS will guide where to site BNG and in turn, well implemented BNG will benefit LNRS’s efforts to recover nature. These initiatives aim to drive England towards the targets of the 25 Year Environment Plan by creating more, bigger, better and joined up areas for nature.
For each LNRS area (approximately one per county) a responsible authority will be designated by the Secretary of State. This authority will ensure that its LNRS delivers ambitious, landscape-scale nature recovery that connects existing protected wildlife sites, areas of nature restoration or enhancement and the wider environment (farmed and urban landscapes).
To achieve this, key biodiversity and habitats must be identified, using mapping (supported by Natural England) and a statement of biodiversity priorities built on data and evidence. Collectively, LNRSs will form a nature recovery network across England.
From November 2023, BNG will be mandatory for most developments in England, requiring developers to ensure a minimum biodiversity uplift of 10% on a site’s pre-development biodiversity value.
Developers will submit a BNG plan demonstrating habitat creation and management, with biodiversity values outlined using Defra’s biodiversity metric 3.0. Delivery of BNG can be on or offsite, with offsite delivery preferably local to the development. Offsite BNG may be on another site owned by the developer or through the purchase of credits from habitat banks or the government.
Local authorities can contribute by encouraging strategically located habitat banks, rigorously reviewing BNG plans, and facilitating the sale of biodiversity credits.
Together, LNRS and BNG could transform how we restore our natural environment and create great opportunities to bring back nature.
What local councillors can do
- Work with your Local Nature Partnership in preparation for LNRS development
- Ensure your local environmental records centre is well resourced to provide the required data and evidence to inform LNRS design
- Encourage your local planning authority to adopt a BNG policy before November 2023
- Review the five LNRS pilots and lessons learned in readiness for developing your LNRS
Contact us to find out how we can work together: publicaffairs@bbowt.org.uk